EDD approved UI based on harassment at new job but using my old employer's wages - confusing!

This is actually normal and how the system works. EDD uses what's called a "base period" to calculate your benefits, which typically looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. If you only worked at your current job for 7 months, a good portion of your base period would include wages from your previous employer. The important thing is you were approved based on the reason you left your CURRENT job (harassment). The wages they're using to calculate the benefit amount are separate from the eligibility determination. Your old employer can't contest your eligibility since they weren't the reason you're unemployed now.

happened 2 me last yr!! except mine was workplace safety not harrassment but same deal. edd used my old employer even tho i quit my NEW job. they told me on the phone its cuz of the "base period" thing. your fine just make sure u keep doing the bi-weekly certifications!!!

Are you SURE you were approved? Don't want to be negative but I got a letter that LOOKED like approval but was actually just acknowledging my claim was processed. Then two weeks later got hit with a disqualification because my employer contested. Check your UI Online account and make sure it actually says "approved" and not just "processed" or something else. EDD is notorious for confusing paperwork!

This is actually how the EDD system is designed to work. Your benefit eligibility is determined by your reason for separation from your most recent employer (in your case, harassment creating a hostile work environment). However, your benefit AMOUNT is calculated based on your highest earning quarters during the base period, which looks back at the last 12-18 months. Since you only worked at the marketing agency for 7 months, a significant portion of your base period includes wages from your retail job. Your previous employer cannot affect your eligibility - only your most recent employer can contest that part. They're only relevant for determining how much you receive. One important note: Make sure you've provided EDD with documentation of the harassment if possible, as your current employer might still contest the claim. Having evidence ready will help if you need to appeal.

Anyone else notice EDD is actually approving harassment claims faster now? I had a similar situation back in 2023 and it took MONTHS with phone interviews and appeals before I got approved. Seems like they're actually taking workplace harassment more seriously now...or maybe you just got lucky lol

If you need to contact EDD about this, good luck getting through on the phone. I spent two weeks trying to reach someone about my harassment-based claim. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km They connected me with an EDD rep who explained the base period calculation and confirmed my eligibility was based on my most recent employment separation reason, even though my benefits were calculated using earlier employers. Totally worth it to get a clear answer directly from EDD.

I've worked for EDD (not anymore). What's happening is 100% normal. Separation issue = current employer. Benefit calculation = base period employers. Two completely separate things in the system. You're good as long as you weren't fired for misconduct or didn't just quit your retail job without good cause.

Update: I called EDD this morning (took forever to get through) and they confirmed what many of you said. The claim is based on my separation from the marketing job due to harassment, but the benefit amount uses wages from both employers during the base period. They also said my former marketing manager hasn't contested anything yet, but they have a few more days to respond. Crossing my fingers! Thanks everyone for your help clearing this up.