More than ever, businesses are defending against a multitude of applications for unemployment compensation and the associated spike in benefit costs that is creating an additional financial burden. Many employees, however, are not entitled to unemployment compensation under the law. SLG understands the necessity of defending against improper employee requests for unemployment compensation and the importance of the associated cost savings in these economic times. SLG has extensive experience representing companies at appeal hearings before the N.C. Employment Security Commission (ESC); we provide advice and counsel regarding the determination of whether a former employee is entitled to unemployment benefits; and we provide advice and counsel on the procedures when appearing before the ESC.