I'm really sorry this happened to you, Sebastian. As someone who's been through a similar situation, I can tell you that getting fired right after FMLA is a huge red flag for retaliation. The timing alone makes it really hard for employers to justify it as legitimate performance issues. You absolutely should be eligible for unemployment benefits - Washington ESD typically sides with employees in these clear-cut retaliation cases. Make sure you keep copies of all your FMLA paperwork and any performance reviews you had before taking leave. The contrast between your pre-leave performance and their sudden "performance issues" claim will be important evidence. Stay strong and don't let them intimidate you!

I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago - fired 5 days after returning from maternity leave for alleged "performance issues" that were never mentioned before I left. Washington ESD approved my claim and my former employer's contest was denied at the hearing. The administrative law judge basically said the timing was too suspicious and they couldn't provide any evidence of actual performance problems prior to my leave. It took about 8 weeks total but I got full benefits plus backpay. The stress was awful with a new baby, but don't let them intimidate you - this kind of retaliation is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed to protect against. Your case sounds even stronger than mine was since you were only out 3 days before they fired you. Stay strong and keep fighting!

Bottom line is Washington ESD takes good cause quits seriously but you need solid evidence. Don't quit on impulse - build your case first with documentation, complaints to HR or management, and clear evidence of how the situation is unreasonable.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're dealing with a hostile work environment, check if your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Sometimes they have resources for workplace conflict resolution or can help document incidents properly. Also, if the toxic management is affecting your mental health, that could potentially be another angle for good cause since Washington recognizes health-related reasons for quitting. Just make sure to get medical documentation if you go that route. The key is really building that paper trail before you make any moves.

One thing I learned when I applied is that Washington has pretty generous eligibility rules compared to some other states. Even if you're not sure you qualify based on wages or work history, it's worth applying anyway. I was worried my part-time retail work wouldn't be enough, but I had been consistently working for over a year and it turned out fine. The system is designed to help people who are working but struggling with reduced income - that's exactly your situation. Also, once you start the application, you can save your progress and come back to it if you need to gather more information, so don't feel like you have to have everything perfect before you begin.

Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have a strong case for partial unemployment benefits! Your situation - working retail consistently for 8 months but having hours cut due to slow business - fits perfectly within Washington's eligibility requirements. Since you didn't quit and the hour reduction wasn't your fault, you should definitely qualify. I'd recommend using that benefit calculator someone mentioned to get an estimate, and then just go ahead and file online. The application really is straightforward once you have your employment history ready. Don't let the wage requirements worry you too much - if you've been working 8 months consistently, you've likely met the base period earnings threshold. Good luck with your application!

Thank you all for the helpful information! After reading everyone's responses, I think I'm going to: 1. Limit my business development to 5-10 hours per week to minimize the impact on my benefits 2. Report ALL hours spent on the business honestly on my weekly claims 3. Continue doing my 3+ job search activities each week 4. Try to reach an ESD agent directly to confirm this approach I might use that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get a definitive answer from ESD. Better to get it right from the start than deal with overpayments later. I'll update this thread once I talk to someone official.

I went through this exact situation last year when I started my freelance graphic design business while on unemployment. Here's what I learned from experience and speaking with an ESD agent: You MUST report all hours worked on your business, even without income. ESD defines "work" as any activity intended to generate income, including business planning, website building, client outreach, etc. The benefit reduction formula is roughly: (Hours worked ÷ 40) × Weekly Benefit Amount. So if you work 8 hours and your WBA is $600, you'd lose about $120 that week. Key tips: - Keep detailed time logs of ALL business activities - Report hours honestly on weekly claims - Continue job search requirements (3+ activities weekly) - Stay "able and available" for full-time work I'd recommend starting very part-time (5-8 hours max per week) to minimize benefit impact while you test the waters. Once you have steady income, you can transition off unemployment properly. The good news is starting a business while on unemployment is totally legal - just be transparent about it from day one.

I went through a similar situation last year and want to share my experience to hopefully ease some worries. I had unreported cash payments from freelance work that I honestly forgot about during a stressful period. When Washington ESD caught it during a routine audit, I was terrified they'd press charges. Instead, they sent an overpayment notice for about $2,800 plus a 15% penalty. I had to pay it back over 10 months, but no criminal charges were filed. The investigator actually told me they focus their criminal referrals on cases involving intentional schemes or amounts over $5,000. For smaller amounts with no clear pattern of deception, they usually just want their money back. If you're genuinely worried, being proactive and honest about any mistakes shows good faith.

I actually work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate unemployment issues, and I want to emphasize what others have said - criminal prosecution for unemployment fraud in Washington is really reserved for the most serious cases. We see dozens of overpayment situations every month, and the vast majority are resolved through repayment agreements without any criminal charges. The state knows their system is confusing and that honest mistakes happen frequently. What triggers criminal referrals are things like using fake Social Security numbers, claiming benefits in multiple states simultaneously, or systematic underreporting that clearly shows intent to defraud. For someone who forgot to report some gig work or was confused about reporting requirements, you're looking at an overpayment notice and maybe penalties, not jail time. If you're genuinely concerned about errors you may have made, the best approach is to be proactive - either contact ESD directly or use a service like others mentioned to get connected with an agent who can review your case.