TWC approval chances for quitting with good cause? Anyone succeed?
I finally left my job last week after dealing with unsafe working conditions for months (they kept ignoring reports about electrical hazards in our work area). My supervisor basically told me to 'deal with it' when I brought it up the final time. I've documented everything - emails, pictures of the hazards, and my formal complaints to management. I filed for unemployment with TWC claiming 'good cause' for quitting, but now I'm nervous about whether they'll approve my claim. The online status just says 'under review' and I'm stressing about bills. Has anyone here actually been approved for Texas unemployment after quitting with good cause? How difficult was the process? Did you have to appeal initially? Any tips for what documentation really helped your case?
41 comments


Jamal Harris
Yes, I was approved for TWC benefits after quitting for good cause, but it wasn't automatic. My situation was harassment from a manager that HR refused to address. Initially, my claim was denied, but I appealed and won. The key was my documentation - I had emails showing I reported the problems multiple times, witness statements, and medical notes from my doctor about the stress it caused. For your situation with safety hazards, that's actually one of the stronger good cause reasons. Make sure you have: - Dated documentation showing you reported the issues - Any responses from management (especially the dismissive ones) - Photos of the hazards - Any OSHA regulations that were being violated - Names of witnesses who can verify your claims Be prepared for TWC to contact your employer and possibly deny you initially. The appeals process isn't as scary as it sounds - just be organized with your evidence and stick to the facts during the hearing.
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Zoe Stavros
•Thank you so much for the detailed response! That's really helpful to know that appeals can work. I do have emails where I reported the issues multiple times, and I have photos with dates. I also have text messages where coworkers acknowledged the problems. How long did your appeal process take? That's what worries me - being without income for months while fighting this.
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Mei Chen
my cousin quit cuz his boss was making him work 70 hr weeks with no overtime pay and he got approved no problem. twc doesnt like companies that break laws!!
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Zoe Stavros
•That's good to hear! Did he have to provide a lot of proof? I'm trying to figure out how much documentation is enough.
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Liam Sullivan
I handle TWC cases professionally, and safety issues are indeed qualifying good cause reasons to quit IF properly documented. The Texas Workforce Commission specifically recognizes unsafe working conditions as good cause for voluntary separation when: 1. You made reasonable efforts to notify management and give them opportunity to address the issue 2. The conditions would cause a reasonable person genuine concern for their safety 3. You didn't unreasonably delay quitting after identifying the hazard During your interview with TWC, focus on these points. Explain the specific nature of the electrical hazards, when they appeared, precisely who you reported them to and when, and what responses you received. Almost 40% of good cause voluntary quit claims are initially denied but then approved on appeal, so don't be discouraged if you receive an initial denial. The appeal hearing provides better opportunity to present evidence systematically.
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Zoe Stavros
•This is incredibly helpful information! I definitely made multiple reports (I have emails from December 2024, January 2025, and three in February 2025). The final straw was when one of the exposed wires actually sparked near a water leak. I quit two days after that incident when management still wouldn't address it. That statistic about 40% being approved on appeal makes me feel better. I was worried I made a mistake by quitting instead of getting fired, but I just couldn't risk my safety anymore.
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Amara Okafor
I QUIT my job because they kept changing my schedule with zero notice making it impossible to arrange childcare. TWC DENIED me saying I should have "explored alternatives" before quitting. Appealed and they DENIED AGAIN. System is RIGGED against workers!!!! They always side with employers who pay into the system. Good luck but don't get your hopes up.
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CosmicCommander
•Sorry that happened to you! But OP's situation is different - safety issues are treated more seriously than scheduling problems in my experience. My brother-in-law quit after his construction company removed safety railings and he got approved.
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Giovanni Colombo
TWC approved my good cause claim, but only after I spoke with an actual agent. I had been trying for weeks with no luck getting through on the phones. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to a TWC agent in about 8 minutes. The agent scheduled me for an interview where I explained my situation and provided all my documentation. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The key difference was being able to talk to someone directly rather than waiting for the automated system to process everything. The agent actually looked at my evidence and helped me understand exactly what they needed to see for a good cause determination.
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Zoe Stavros
•That's really interesting - I've been trying to get through on the phone with no luck. Just constant busy signals. I'll check out that service because I really want to talk to someone about my claim. Waiting in the dark is the worst part.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
Question - did u tell your employer u were quitting because of the safety issues? Like officially in writing? Cause I think thats important for TWC. They wanna see that u gave employer chance to fix it before u walked out.
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Zoe Stavros
•Yes! I sent a final email the day I quit that specifically mentioned the electrical hazards as my reason for leaving. I also mentioned the previous reports I'd made and included pictures of the latest incident (the sparking wire). I printed a copy of this email for my records too. I'm hoping that helps my case.
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Jamal Harris
Regarding your question about timeframes - my appeal process took about 6 weeks from denial to hearing, and then another week to get the decision. The good news is that if you win your appeal, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you were eligible. One more tip: when you're requesting payments during this time, make sure you're still doing and documenting your work searches (minimum 3 per week). I've seen people win their appeal but lose benefits because they stopped doing work searches while waiting.
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Zoe Stavros
•Thank you for that reminder about work searches! I wasn't sure if I should be doing those while my claim is under review, but I'll start documenting them right away. Six weeks is a long time to wait but at least there's backpay if approved. I've started applying for temporary jobs just in case, but really hoping TWC recognizes the safety issues were legitimate good cause.
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Mei Chen
he just showed his timecards and texts from boss. wasnt that hard for him but maybe he got lucky with who reviewed his case
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Amara Okafor
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS?? You should report them to OSHA too!!! That company needs to be investigated not just you getting benefits. My friend got approved for quitting when restaurant made him work with broken equipment.
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Zoe Stavros
•You're absolutely right - I did file an OSHA complaint the same day I quit. They contacted me yesterday to get more details, so hopefully they'll investigate. And that's encouraging about your friend's case!
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Dylan Cooper
I think each case is different and depends who reviews it. My sister and I both quit the same company for almost identical reasons (sexual harassment) but her claim was approved right away and mine was denied initially. Had to appeal which was stressful but eventually got approved. Just be persistent!
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
What county are u in? I heard some TWC offices are easier than others for good cause claims.
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CosmicCommander
•That's not how it works. TWC claims aren't processed by county - they're handled at state level and assigned to claim examiners randomly.
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Liam Sullivan
One clarification I should add - since you mentioned electrical hazards specifically, make sure you frame this precisely in TWC terms. Under their guidelines, this would qualify as "unsafe working conditions" rather than the more general "good cause." It's a subtle but important distinction that can affect how your claim is categorized and reviewed. Also, when you have your TWC interview, be prepared to answer why you couldn't simply refuse to work in that specific area while remaining employed. The best response is to explain that the hazard was unavoidable in performing your required duties and that management gave you no alternative work options when you raised the concern.
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Zoe Stavros
•That's really helpful phrasing - I'll make sure to specifically call it "unsafe working conditions" in any communications. And yes, I can definitely explain that part. The electrical issues were throughout our entire work area, and my job couldn't be done remotely or from another location. I actually asked if I could temporarily work from the conference room until it was fixed, but was told that wasn't an option. I'll make sure to mention that in my interview!
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Isabella Ferreira
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago - quit due to management ignoring repeated safety complaints about faulty equipment that could have seriously injured someone. TWC initially denied my claim saying I "acted hastily" but I appealed and won after a phone hearing. The hearing officer specifically asked about my timeline - when I first reported the issue, how many times I escalated it, and what management's responses were. Having that email trail you mentioned is HUGE. I also brought a witness (coworker who saw the hazards) to my hearing which really helped. One thing that surprised me - they asked if I considered filing a workers comp claim first instead of quitting. I explained that I wasn't injured yet and didn't want to wait until I was. The hearing officer seemed to understand that reasoning. Your case sounds much stronger than mine was honestly. Electrical hazards near water is seriously dangerous stuff. Stay organized with your documentation and don't get discouraged if you get an initial denial. The appeals process really does work when you have solid evidence like you do.
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Vince Eh
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you for sharing your experience with such similar circumstances. It's reassuring to know that the appeals process worked for you even after an initial denial. I'm definitely going to stay organized with my documentation and not panic if I get denied first. The question about workers comp is interesting - I hadn't thought about that angle, but you're right that I wasn't going to wait around to get electrocuted just to have a claim. The fact that they seemed to understand that reasoning gives me hope. Did you have to pay anything for the appeal process, or was it free? And how long did it take from filing the appeal to actually having your hearing scheduled?
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Sean Kelly
I had a similar situation with my previous employer - they kept having us work around exposed asbestos despite multiple complaints. I quit and filed for good cause with TWC. Got approved on the first try, but I think it helped that I had documented everything with photos and kept copies of all my emails to management. The key things that seemed to matter for my case were: - I gave them reasonable time to fix it (about 6 weeks of repeated complaints) - I showed I tried to work with them on solutions - I had clear evidence the hazard was real and immediate - I quit only after they explicitly refused to address it Your situation with electrical hazards near water sounds even more dangerous than mine was. The fact that you have the email trail showing multiple reports AND photos of the actual hazards puts you in a really good position. The sparking wire incident you mentioned should be especially compelling evidence. One thing I learned - make sure you emphasize during any interview that a reasonable person would consider these conditions unsafe. Don't just focus on your personal fear, but explain why any worker would be at risk in that environment. Good luck with your claim! Texas does recognize legitimate safety concerns as good cause, you just need to present your case clearly.
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CosmicCruiser
•This is really encouraging to hear from someone who got approved on the first try! Your point about emphasizing that any reasonable person would consider the conditions unsafe is brilliant - I've been so focused on explaining my own concerns that I hadn't thought about framing it that way. Six weeks of complaints before quitting sounds similar to my timeline. I started reporting in December and didn't quit until late March, so I definitely gave them time to address it. The asbestos situation you dealt with sounds terrifying too - I'm glad you got out of there safely and got your benefits approved. Did TWC contact your former employer during the review process? I'm curious what they might say when asked about the safety issues, especially since they were so dismissive when I was still working there.
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Peyton Clarke
I went through a good cause quit claim with TWC about two years ago after my employer refused to provide basic safety equipment despite repeated requests. What really helped my case was creating a timeline document that showed the progression of events - when I first identified the safety issue, each time I reported it, what responses I got (or didn't get), and finally when I made the decision to quit. Your documentation sounds really solid, especially having photos with dates and email records. One thing I'd add to what others have said - if you have any coworkers who witnessed the hazards or your complaints to management, ask them if they'd be willing to provide a brief written statement. Even just a text saying "yes, I saw the exposed wires and water leak that [your name] kept reporting" can be helpful supporting evidence. Also, when you do get your TWC interview (whether initial or appeal), practice explaining your situation in a clear, chronological way. Start with when you first noticed the problem, walk through your attempts to get it resolved, and end with why you felt you had no choice but to quit. Keep it factual and avoid getting emotional about how frustrated you were - just stick to the safety facts. The electrical/water combination you described is definitely the kind of immediate safety hazard that TWC recognizes as good cause. You've got this!
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Shelby Bauman
•The timeline document idea is fantastic - I'm going to create one right away! That's such a smart way to organize everything chronologically. I do have a couple coworkers who saw the hazards and heard me complaining to our supervisor about them. I'll reach out to see if they'd be willing to write brief statements. Your advice about practicing the explanation is really helpful too. I tend to get worked up when talking about how dismissive management was, but you're right that I should stick to just the safety facts and timeline. The goal is to show I acted reasonably, not to vent about how frustrated I was. It's so reassuring to hear from people who have actually been through this process successfully. The waiting and uncertainty is really stressful, but all these responses are giving me hope that I have a solid case. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!
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Derek Olson
I successfully got approved for TWC benefits after quitting due to unsafe working conditions at a warehouse job. Management kept ignoring reports about forklift operators not following safety protocols and nearly missing pedestrians daily. Like your situation, I documented everything - incident reports I filed, emails to supervisors, and even got statements from other workers who witnessed the unsafe practices. The process took about 3 weeks for my initial approval, but I think what really helped was that I had a clear paper trail showing I tried multiple times to get the issues addressed through proper channels. TWC specifically asked during my phone interview about what steps I took before quitting and whether I gave management reasonable opportunity to fix the problems. Your electrical hazard situation sounds much more immediately dangerous than mine was. The fact that you have photos of the sparking wire near water, plus emails showing months of reporting with no action from management, should work strongly in your favor. That's exactly the type of documented unsafe working condition that TWC is designed to protect workers from. Keep doing those work searches while you wait - that requirement continues even during the review process. And don't stress too much about the "under review" status. That's normal and can take a few weeks, especially for good cause claims since they require more thorough investigation.
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Drew Hathaway
•Three weeks for initial approval is really encouraging! I was expecting it to take much longer based on some horror stories I'd read online. Your forklift situation sounds scary too - it's frustrating how some employers just ignore safety concerns until someone actually gets hurt. You're right about continuing the work searches - I've been doing them but wasn't sure if it was necessary during the review period. Better safe than sorry though. The "under review" status has been showing for about a week now, so hopefully I'll hear something soon. Thanks for the reassurance about having a strong case. Sometimes when you're in the middle of it, you start second-guessing whether you did the right thing by quitting instead of just dealing with the unsafe conditions. But reading everyone's experiences here reminds me that worker safety should always come first.
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NebulaKnight
I went through a very similar situation last year - quit my manufacturing job after repeated safety violations that management refused to address. Got approved for TWC benefits, but it took persistence and good documentation like you already have. Your case sounds really solid honestly. Electrical hazards near water is textbook unsafe working conditions, and the fact that you have months of documented complaints with photos makes it even stronger. The key things that helped me were: 1) Timeline showing I gave reasonable notice/opportunity for fixes 2) Clear documentation of the hazard (photos, emails, incident reports) 3) Evidence that I tried to work with management before quitting 4) Witness statements from coworkers who saw the conditions That final email you sent when quitting specifically mentioning the safety issues was smart - shows you made your reasoning clear to the employer. Don't be discouraged if you get an initial denial. About 30-40% of good cause claims get denied first but then approved on appeal. The appeals process lets you present your evidence more thoroughly. I had to go through an appeal but got backpay for all the weeks I waited. Keep documenting those work searches and stay organized with your evidence. Your situation is exactly what the good cause provision is meant to protect workers from.
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GalacticGuru
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through something so similar and got approved. The 30-40% initial denial rate you mentioned is actually helpful to know - I was starting to think that if I got denied initially it meant my case was weak, but it sounds like that's just how the system works. Your checklist of key things that helped is perfect - I can check off all four of those points for my situation. Having witness statements seems to be a common theme in successful cases, so I'm definitely going to reach out to my coworkers today to ask for brief written statements. It's encouraging that you got backpay for all the weeks you waited during the appeal. That takes some of the financial pressure off knowing that if I do have to appeal, I won't lose those benefits permanently. Thanks for the reminder about staying organized with evidence. I've got everything in a folder but I think I'll create that timeline document someone else mentioned to make it even clearer. Really appreciate you taking the time to help a fellow worker navigate this process!
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Sean Flanagan
I was approved for TWC benefits after quitting due to unsafe conditions at a construction site. Management kept having us work around unstable scaffolding that hadn't been properly inspected, despite multiple safety complaints from the crew. Your electrical hazard situation actually sounds much more clear-cut than mine was. The combination of exposed wires and water is an obvious OSHA violation, and you have the documentation to prove management knew about it and refused to act. A few things that really helped my case: - I kept a personal log of every safety incident and complaint (dates, who I talked to, their responses) - I took photos whenever possible - I got written statements from two coworkers who witnessed the hazards - I cited specific OSHA standards that were being violated The appeals hearing was actually pretty straightforward - just me explaining the timeline while the hearing officer looked at my evidence. Having that paper trail made all the difference. One tip: when you talk to TWC, emphasize that you tried to work WITH your employer to solve the problem before quitting. That shows you were reasonable and only quit as a last resort when they refused to make the workplace safe. Your documentation sounds really thorough. I think you have a strong case for approval, even if it takes an appeal to get there. Hang in there!
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Hassan Khoury
•This is really helpful advice, especially the point about keeping a personal log! I wish I had thought to do that from the beginning, but I do have most of the key incidents documented through emails and photos. The idea of citing specific OSHA standards is brilliant - I should look up which regulations apply to electrical hazards in the workplace. Your point about emphasizing that I tried to work WITH my employer is exactly what I need to remember for my interview. I really did try to be collaborative at first, suggesting temporary solutions and asking about timelines for repairs. It was only after months of getting brushed off that I felt I had no choice. It's reassuring to hear that the appeals hearing was straightforward for you. I've been imagining some scary courtroom scenario, but it sounds much more manageable than I was picturing. Thanks for the encouragement - hearing all these success stories is really helping me stay positive while I wait for a decision!
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Daniel Price
I actually went through this exact scenario about 6 months ago - quit due to safety hazards after management repeatedly ignored my concerns. Got approved for TWC benefits after an appeal, so don't lose hope! Your case sounds really strong. The fact that you have months of documented complaints, photos of the actual hazards (especially that sparking wire near water), and a clear timeline of escalation is exactly what TWC looks for. I had similar documentation and it made all the difference. A couple things that helped me during the process: - Create a simple timeline document showing: when you first reported → each escalation → management responses (or lack of) → final incident that led to quitting - If possible, get brief written statements from coworkers who witnessed the hazards or your complaints to management - When you have your TWC interview, emphasize that you gave management multiple opportunities to fix the problem over several months before quitting The initial review can take 2-3 weeks, and don't panic if you get denied first. About 40% of good cause safety claims get denied initially but then approved on appeal. The appeals process gives you a better chance to present your full case. Your electrical/water hazard situation is textbook "unsafe working conditions" under TWC guidelines. You documented everything properly and quit only after giving reasonable time for fixes. That's exactly how the system is supposed to work. Keep doing those work searches while you wait, and stay organized with your evidence. You've got this!
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Amelia Martinez
•This is exactly the kind of detailed, practical advice I was hoping to find! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with such a similar situation. The timeline document idea keeps coming up in responses, so I'm definitely going to create one today - it sounds like having that clear chronological layout really helps present the case effectively. Your point about 40% of safety claims being initially denied but then approved on appeal is really reassuring. I was getting anxious thinking that an initial denial would mean my case was hopeless, but it sounds like that's just part of the normal process for these types of claims. I'm definitely going to reach out to a couple coworkers for written statements. There were at least two people who saw the sparking wire incident and heard me complaining to our supervisor about it multiple times. Having that third-party verification seems to be really important. Six months ago puts your case pretty recent, so it's encouraging to know the system is still working for legitimate safety situations like ours. Thanks for the encouragement and for taking the time to help someone else navigate this stressful process!
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Charity Cohan
I successfully got approved for TWC benefits after quitting my restaurant job due to unsafe conditions - they had us working with broken gas lines that were leaking near the kitchen equipment. Management kept saying they'd "get to it eventually" despite multiple reports from staff. Your situation with electrical hazards near water sounds even more dangerous than what I dealt with. The key things that helped my case were having everything documented (which you already do) and being able to show I gave them reasonable time to fix it before quitting. One thing I learned during the process - make sure to emphasize during your TWC interview that the hazard made it impossible to safely perform your job duties. It's not just about personal discomfort, but about the fact that any reasonable person would consider those conditions unsafe to work in. The initial decision took about 2.5 weeks for me. Even if you get an initial denial, don't give up - the appeals process really does work when you have solid documentation like you have. Having those photos with dates and the email trail showing months of ignored complaints puts you in a really good position. Keep your chin up! Worker safety is exactly what these protections are designed for, and it sounds like you handled everything the right way.
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Ava Kim
•Thank you for sharing your experience with the gas line situation - that sounds terrifying! You're absolutely right about emphasizing that the hazard made it impossible to safely perform job duties. That's a really important distinction I hadn't fully considered. Your timeline of 2.5 weeks for the initial decision is helpful to know. I'm at about a week and a half now, so hopefully I'll hear something soon. It's reassuring to hear from yet another person who got approved for a legitimate safety situation. The "any reasonable person would consider unsafe" framing keeps coming up in responses, and I think that's exactly how I need to present it during my interview. It's not about being overly cautious - exposed electrical wires near a water leak is objectively dangerous for anyone. Thanks for the encouragement! All these success stories from people who went through similar situations are really helping me stay positive while I wait. It's good to know the system does work when you document everything properly and follow the right steps.
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Omar Hassan
I went through a very similar situation about a year ago and got approved for TWC benefits after quitting due to unsafe working conditions. In my case, it was a warehouse job where management ignored multiple reports about malfunctioning conveyor belt safety guards that kept coming loose and could have seriously injured workers. What really helped my case was having a clear paper trail just like you do. I had emails showing I reported the issues multiple times over several months, photos of the broken equipment, and documentation of management's dismissive responses. The key was showing TWC that I gave my employer reasonable time and opportunity to address the safety hazards before making the difficult decision to quit. Your electrical hazard situation sounds even more clear-cut than mine was - exposed wires near water is an obvious and immediate safety risk that any reasonable person would recognize as dangerous. The fact that you have months of documented complaints, photos with dates, witness statements from coworkers, and that final email specifically citing safety as your reason for leaving gives you a really strong case. A few things that helped during my TWC interview: - I created a simple timeline showing when I first reported the issue, each escalation attempt, what responses I got from management, and the final incident that led to my decision to quit - I emphasized that I tried to work collaboratively with management to find solutions before quitting as a last resort - I focused on the objective safety risk rather than my personal feelings about management's attitude Don't be discouraged if you get an initial denial - it's pretty common for good cause safety claims to require an appeal even when they're legitimate. The appeals process gives you a better opportunity to present your full case with all your documentation. Your situation is exactly what the good cause provision exists to protect. You documented everything properly, gave management multiple chances to address serious safety hazards, and only quit when they made it clear they wouldn't act. That's textbook reasonable behavior that TWC should recognize. Hang in there!
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Madison Tipne
•This is incredibly comprehensive and helpful - thank you so much for taking the time to share all these details! Your warehouse conveyor belt situation sounds really dangerous too, and I'm glad you got out safely and got approved for benefits. The timeline document seems to be the golden thread through all these success stories, so I'm definitely creating one today. Your specific points about what to emphasize during the interview are exactly what I needed to hear - focusing on objective safety risks rather than personal feelings about management is such good advice. It's really encouraging that you got approved even after dealing with dismissive management responses. I have similar documentation of my supervisor basically telling me to "deal with it" when I raised the safety concerns, which felt so frustrating at the time but now seems like it might actually help my case by showing their unwillingness to address legitimate hazards. Your point about this being "exactly what the good cause provision exists to protect" really resonates with me. Sometimes I second-guess whether I should have just kept working in those conditions, but hearing from people like you who successfully navigated similar situations reminds me that worker safety has to come first. Thanks for the encouragement - it means a lot coming from someone who's been through this process!
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Luca Bianchi
I successfully got TWC benefits approved after quitting due to unsafe working conditions at my previous job. Management was requiring us to work around faulty equipment that posed serious injury risks despite multiple safety reports from employees. Your case sounds really strong - electrical hazards near water with documented evidence is exactly the type of situation TWC recognizes as legitimate good cause. The fact that you have months of emails, photos with dates, and witness accounts puts you in an excellent position. A few things that helped me: - I organized all my evidence chronologically to show the progression from first report to final quit decision - During my TWC phone interview, I emphasized that I gave management reasonable time (several months) to address the hazards before quitting - I focused on explaining how the conditions made it impossible for any reasonable person to safely perform the job duties My initial claim was actually approved without needing an appeal, which took about 3 weeks total. Even if yours gets initially denied, don't panic - many legitimate safety cases require appeals but ultimately get approved with backpay. Keep documenting your work searches during this waiting period, and stay organized with your evidence. You clearly handled this situation the right way by trying to work with your employer first and only quitting when they refused to address serious safety hazards. That's exactly what the good cause protection is designed for!
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