My father was recently fired after close to thirty years with his company. The reasons he was given for the termination were 1) We don't need you anymore and 2) You don't work enough hours.
My father worked at least 30 hours a week, despite an agreement made with his bosses in January that he could work 20 hours a week and still keep his medical benefits. He had needed to drop his hours because of some medical issues he's been dealing with-mainly his heart. He's 63 in June. This agreement was witnessed by a co-worker who took notes on the meeting. (Incidentally-does anyone know if it's a HIPPA violation to have had this co-worker there to make notes despite my father's objection to her? She's a very close friend of my brother and sister-in-law, and as they were discussing his health issues, my father was not comfortable with her being there, hearing his personal health info discussed, given her closeness to the family. He would have accepted anyone else in the company.)
My father filed for unemployment, and the company challenged it, stating the reason he was fired was "poor work performance".
What are his options? Given that they agreed to let him work 20 hours a week, I don't see how they can claim his 'not working enough' as poor work performance. He really needs unemployment, at his age, and with his health, another job is highly unlikely.
Thanks in advance.

