Left job due to workplace harassment - how to update EDD certification correctly?

You definitely need to report this change in your work status. When you certify, make sure to indicate that you no longer work there and select "quit" as the reason. There's a section where you can briefly explain why - just state "workplace harassment" there. However, quitting a job can potentially disqualify you from benefits unless you had good cause. Workplace harassment could qualify as good cause, but EDD will likely schedule a phone interview to determine if your reason meets their criteria. Keep documentation of the harassment (emails, texts, witness statements, etc.) to support your case. The general EDD number is 1-800-300-5616, but good luck getting through. You might be waiting for weeks.

omg the same thing happened 2 me last year!! my supervisor was ALWAYS on my case 4 no reason. i just stopped showing up & certified that i quit. BIG MISTAKE!! they denied my benefits for like 2 months until i had the phone interview & explained everything. definitely call them first if u can!!!

If you're already receiving partial UI benefits and now completely separated from the employer, you should call EDD at 1-800-300-5616 to report the change. When you certify, answer truthfully that you quit and briefly explain it was due to harassment. The real issue is that EDD will need to determine if you had "good cause" to quit. Workplace harassment can qualify, but you'll need to prove: 1. The harassment was serious enough to compel a reasonable person to quit 2. You attempted to resolve the issue before quitting (did you report to HR or senior management?) 3. You had no reasonable alternative but to quit Start documenting everything now - dates, times, specifics of incidents, witnesses, any complaints you filed, etc. EDD will schedule a phone interview, typically 2-3 weeks after you report the change. Make sure to continue certifying every two weeks while this is being resolved.

They gonna deny you watch...edd ALWAYS sides with employers. I quit cuz my boss was racist and they didn't care AT ALL. Took 6 weeks just to get someone on the phone and then my interviewer was rude af and didn't believe anything i said. System is rigged!!!!!

Have you tried calling the EDD? I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get through on that 800 number and kept getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message. Then I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD rep in less than 30 minutes! I was skeptical but it actually worked. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd so you can see how it works. Their website is claimyr.com - definitely worth checking out if you need to talk to someone at EDD quickly about your situation.

Here's what you need to know about your situation: 1. When you certify for benefits, you must report that you no longer work at your previous employer and indicate that you quit. Be truthful - EDD cross-references with employer records. 2. You should also call EDD at 1-800-300-5616 to report this change, though getting through is difficult. 3. For workplace harassment cases, EDD will schedule a determination interview to assess if you had "good cause" to quit. During this interview: - Be specific about incidents (dates, what was said, who was present) - Explain how it affected your ability to perform your job - Detail any attempts you made to resolve the situation before quitting 4. Continue certifying for benefits while awaiting the determination, but be aware that if EDD determines you quit without good cause, you may have to repay benefits received after quitting. 5. Since you were already on partial unemployment, make sure to indicate the change in your work search requirements status as well, as you'll now need to meet full work search requirements. Documentation is critical in these cases. Even if it was mostly verbal, write down everything you can remember with as much detail as possible.

Typically, determination interviews are scheduled 2-4 weeks after the change is reported, but with current workloads at EDD, it could be 6-8 weeks. You'll receive a notice in the mail with the date and time of your phone interview. Keep certifying for benefits during this waiting period and be sure to meet all work search requirements.

I went through something similar in 2024 and just want to share my experience. I was harassed by my supervisor at a warehouse job and quit after documenting several incidents. When I certified, I marked that I had quit and briefly explained why in the comments section. EDD scheduled my phone interview about 5 weeks later. During the interview, the EDD representative asked very specific questions about: 1. The nature of the harassment 2. How frequently it occurred 3. Whether I reported it to anyone in authority 4. Why I felt I had no alternative but to quit I was initially denied because I hadn't reported the harassment to the supervisor's manager before quitting. I appealed the decision with additional documentation showing the supervisor and manager were relatives, making reporting ineffective. My appeal was successful, but it took another 8 weeks. My advice: document EVERYTHING, be incredibly specific during your interview, and make sure you can explain why you had no reasonable alternative but to quit. Best of luck!

just wondering why ur wife didnt file for disability instead? harassment can cause anxiety/depression which is covered. my cousin did this and got approved way faster than unemployment

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful advice! I've started documenting all the harassment incidents I can remember with dates and details. I'll make sure to indicate that I quit due to harassment when I certify this Sunday, and I'll try calling EDD (though it sounds like getting through will be challenging). Since the owner was the main person harassing me and it's a small business with no HR department, I'm hoping that will help my case since there wasn't really anyone else I could report to. I did try discussing the issue directly with her multiple times, so I'll make sure to mention that during the interview. I'm definitely nervous about potentially losing benefits while this gets resolved, but at least now I know what to expect. I'll update here after my determination interview in case it helps anyone else in a similar situation.

Good luck with everything! It sounds like you have a solid understanding of the process now. One thing I'd add - if you have any customers or coworkers who witnessed the harassment, try to get their contact information if possible. Even if they can't formally testify, having their names and phone numbers shows EDD that there were potential witnesses to back up your claims. Also, when you do get through to EDD (whenever that happens), ask them to put a note in your file about the harassment situation. Sometimes having it documented early in the system can help speed up the determination process. The fact that you tried to address it directly with the owner multiple times before quitting will definitely work in your favor - that shows you made a good faith effort to resolve the situation before leaving. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I'm sorry you're going through this situation. Workplace harassment is serious and it sounds like you made the right decision for your mental health. Just wanted to add a few practical tips based on what others have shared: When you call EDD (or use one of those callback services mentioned), have all your documentation ready before the call - dates, specific incidents, any attempts you made to resolve it. Write out a timeline so you don't forget important details during the interview. Also, since you mentioned the harassment was affecting your mental health, if you end up seeing a doctor or counselor about stress/anxiety from this situation, keep those records too. While it won't qualify you for disability as someone mentioned, it could serve as additional evidence that the workplace conditions were genuinely harmful. The waiting period is stressful, but stay consistent with your certifications and work search activities. Even if the determination takes weeks, you want to show EDD you're following all the requirements during this time. Wishing you the best with this process - harassment cases can be challenging but you seem to be taking all the right steps!

I've been in a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. When I had my determination interview, the EDD representative was actually quite thorough and fair - they asked detailed questions but seemed genuinely interested in understanding the situation rather than just denying the claim. A few things that helped my case: 1. I created a simple spreadsheet with dates, times, what happened, and who was present for each incident 2. I saved any text messages or emails related to scheduling/work that showed the hostile environment 3. I was very specific about how the harassment interfered with my ability to do my job (customers complaining about the yelling, being unable to concentrate, etc.) The key phrase EDD looks for is whether a "reasonable person" would have quit under those circumstances. Since you tried addressing it directly with the owner multiple times and there was no higher authority to report to, that really strengthens your case. Also, don't be discouraged if it takes a while to get through to someone - the wait times are brutal but the actual representatives I've dealt with have been professional and understanding. Document everything now while it's fresh in your memory!