Does unemployment cost the employer anything when you file a California EDD claim?

This actually makes me feel better. So the fund is already there, I'm not like pulling money directly out of his pocket right now?

Exactly. You're drawing from a fund that's been built up over time from employer contributions. The indirect effect on his future tax rate is real but modest, especially for one employee at a small business. And again - he made the decision to lay you off. File your claim.

yeah what they said. your boss was probably just trying to guilt you out of filing which is honestly kind of messed up

Wait, if I delay filing do I actually lose money? Like I can't go back and claim weeks I didn't file for?

Correct. California EDD unemployment benefits are not retroactive beyond a very limited window. Your benefit year starts from when you file, not from when you were laid off. Delaying costs YOU money, not your employer. File as soon as possible at edd.ca.gov.

omg I didn't know this. I got laid off 3 weeks ago and haven't filed yet because of something similar, my manager said the same thing to me

File today if you haven't already!! Go to edd.ca.gov right now. You may have already missed some benefit weeks depending on California EDD's backdating rules.

The part about him hiring new people right after really puts it in perspective honestly.

Yeah. It wasn't personal, it was business. I should have treated it the same way from the start.

This happens all the time unfortunately. Small business owners sometimes don't realize or pretend not to realize that pressuring employees not to file is actually illegal in California.

Honestly the phone system is a nightmare. Someone in another thread mentioned a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to California EDD agents without sitting on hold for hours. Apparently you go to claimyr.com and they basically hold your place in line and call you back when an agent is available. There's also a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 - might be worth checking out if you're desperate to talk to someone about your adjudication.

Wait that actually exists?? Going to check that out right now because I genuinely cannot keep taking hours out of my workday (I'm doing gig work while waiting) to sit on hold.

yeah claimyr is real, my cousin used it when her claim got stuck in adjudication. said it worked pretty well

Seeing the actual numbers really helps. I was imagining this huge direct cost.

Good breakdown. Also worth noting that employers can contest claims if they believe the separation wasn't a qualifying event. If it was a genuine layoff (no misconduct on your end), they really have no grounds to fight it and most don't bother.

Great job filing! Now make sure you certify for benefits every two weeks using UI Online or the EDD phone system. Even while your claim is processing, certification keeps your weeks in queue. Also start your job search log now - you'll need to document 3 job search activities per week typically.

Wait I have to do the job search stuff even while they're still deciding on my claim??

Yes, job search requirements begin from the first week you're eligible unless you're on standby status. California EDD can ask for your job search records going back to your claim start date. Keep a log with employer names, dates, and how you contacted them.

yep learned this the hard way. got approved then had to scramble to document job searches I hadn't been keeping track of. keep records from day one

This reframe actually helps a lot mentally. I've been tying myself in knots over something that is literally just how the system is designed to work.

Agreed. And to be clear - it's not even like the employer is doing something generous by 'letting you' collect. UI tax is a mandatory payroll cost. They didn't choose to fund your potential benefits, it's required by California law.

THIS. also the employer gets to write off their UI taxes as a business expense so

Saving this comment for anyone who asks me this question in the future. Perfect summary.

Thank you for this. Filing today.

He wasn't super explicit about it, more just kind of hinted. But good to know.

Correct. California Labor Code has protections around this. An employer can certainly contest a claim through proper California EDD channels if they believe it's not valid - that's their right. But pressuring an employee not to file is a different matter entirely.

The California Labor Commissioner's office handles retaliation complaints if anyone's employer actually does cross that line.

I actually tried this after someone mentioned it upthread. Worked for me too - got a callback and spoke to an EDD rep about my adjudication. Still waiting on the final decision but at least I know what documents they need from me now.

Good to know this exists. Bookmarking in case my new claim hits any snags.

the hold times at EDD are genuinely insane, anything that helps with that is welcome

Three times through the system and you still got benefits approved each time?

Yep. Legitimate layoff = eligible for UI benefits. California EDD isn't trying to deny you, they just need to verify the separation was legit and not a quit or termination for misconduct.

Same experience here. The system works when the separation is genuine. Your former employer can contest but if it was a real layoff they typically don't bother or don't succeed.

Standby status is actually really relevant for your situation! If your employer expects to recall you within 60 days and you have a definite return-to-work date, you can request standby status on your UI claim. The big benefit is that you may be exempt from the regular job search requirements while on standby - you don't have to apply to 3 jobs per week. You still file weekly certifications and collect benefits, you just don't have to be actively job hunting since you have a recall coming.

Oh wow I didn't know this was an option. Do I request this when I first file or can I add it after?

You can request standby status when you file your initial claim OR you can update your claim status through UI Online. You'll need your employer to confirm the recall date. If they can't give you a specific date within 60 days, you may need to do regular job search requirements instead.

Also note that standby status has to be renewed - California EDD will reassess it. If the recall date gets pushed back significantly, they may require you to meet standard job search requirements.

Five weeks is a long time. Have you tried Claimyr? claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you actually get through to EDD without spending your whole day redialing. There's a walkthrough video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 . I know it sounds too good to be true but it genuinely helped me get through when I was in a similar situation.

At this point I'll try anything. 5 weeks with no explanation is not okay. I have bills.

I was the person who asked about EDD contact earlier in this thread - I tried Claimyr and it worked. Not saying it's magic but I did actually talk to a live person which at that point felt like a miracle.

California EDD requires a minimum of three job search activities per week. You can certainly do more and document more, but three is the minimum. Some people just log three to keep it simple. The key is that the contacts need to be genuine - actual applications, employer contacts, attending a job fair, using WorkSource, etc. Quality over quantity.

ok good because I've been stressing about logging every single thing. three is manageable.

Also make sure you're recording the specific info EDD asks for - employer name, contact info, type of contact, date, position applied for. Vague entries like 'applied online somewhere' won't hold up if you ever get audited.

okay this is actually the most straightforward way I've heard it put and I feel dumb for not thinking about it this way

lmaooo exactly. solidarity among laid off workers means everyone files

The 'they should have factored this in already' point is really landing with me. This wasn't a surprise to him, it was a known cost of the layoff decision.

Exactly. And I'd add - a business owner who tries to pressure former employees not to file is also potentially creating legal exposure for themselves. California employment law is not forgiving on retaliation.

Solid perspective from the accounting side. The experience rating mechanism is well understood by any halfway competent small business accountant.

Sunday mornings and Monday mornings tend to be the worst times to access UI Online because everyone is trying to certify at the same time. Try Tuesday through Thursday, and aim for early morning or later evening. The system gets overloaded.

ugh ok good to know. don't want to miss my certification window because the website is being slow

You have until Saturday midnight to certify for the prior week's benefits. Don't stress if Sunday morning is slow, you have all week. Just don't wait until the last minute.

So glad you filed! Keep up with your weekly certifications and job search documentation. Fingers crossed for a quick approval since it sounds like a clean layoff case.

Great outcome. Welcome to the other side of the guilt trip. You did the right thing.

Good luck! Check UI Online periodically for any notices or requests for additional information. Responding quickly to any California EDD requests for info can speed up your processing.

Perfect. And if you hit any snags during processing that require talking to an EDD rep, you now know options exist for actually getting through to someone. The system is frustrating but navigable.