Good luck with your appeal! It's definitely worth fighting if you believe you're eligible. The system makes mistakes and the appeals process exists for a reason. Stay organized and don't let them intimidate you.

I went through a similar appeal process about 6 months ago and won my case. One thing that really helped me was organizing all my documents in chronological order - termination letter, any HR communications, performance reviews, etc. The judge appreciated having everything laid out clearly. Also, practice explaining your situation out loud beforehand so you're not stumbling over words during the hearing. The judges are used to dealing with nervous people, but being prepared definitely helps your case. The whole process took about 8 weeks for me from filing to decision, but it was worth the wait when I got my back pay.

Remember that the judge is supposed to be neutral. They're not on your employer's side or your side - they're just trying to determine what actually happened based on the evidence. Try to present facts rather than emotions, even though I know this situation is really stressful financially.

Dylan, I went through a similar situation about 8 months ago when my employer claimed I was terminated for misconduct but it was really just a disagreement over procedures. The most important thing I learned is to focus on the specific incident they're claiming as misconduct - don't let them bring up unrelated performance issues or personality conflicts. Take notes during the hearing because you might need to reference what was said if you decide to appeal further. Also, if your employer makes any statements that contradict what they told you when you were fired, point that out to the judge. Inconsistencies in their story can really help your case. The whole process took about 4 months total for me but I did eventually get my benefits restored with back pay.

One important thing to remember is that if you win and they rule in your favor, sometimes the employer can also appeal the decision to the Commissioner's Review Office. So even winning at the OAH level doesn't always mean the case is finished. However, the good news is that ESD will typically begin paying benefits after an OAH decision in your favor, even if the employer appeals. But be aware you could potentially have to repay them if the employer wins at a higher appeal level.

I just went through this exact same process about 6 weeks ago! The waiting period after the hearing is honestly the worst part because you just have no idea which way it's going to go. But based on what you're describing - having documented emails about safety concerns that were ignored - you actually sound like you have a really strong case. That's exactly the kind of "good cause" evidence that tends to win appeals for voluntary quits. A few things that might help while you wait: 1) Keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the decision (you won't get paid yet but it keeps your claim active), 2) The decision will show up in eServices usually a day or two before the paper copy arrives in the mail, and 3) Try not to read too much into how the hearing "felt" - I thought mine went terribly but I actually won! The timeline is usually 2-3 weeks like others mentioned. Hang in there and try to stay positive - documented safety concerns are one of the strongest reasons for a successful voluntary quit appeal.

Update: I was able to get through to ESD! For anyone with a similar issue, the agent told me they've added notes to my file about the correction and adjusted my claim for last week. Because I was still under my weekly benefit amount even with the orientation day added, I didn't have to pay anything back. She said it was good I caught it early before they had to investigate. Also confirmed I can just stop claiming once I start my full-time job. Such a relief to have this resolved!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where I think I've been reporting my work hours incorrectly. Reading through everyone's experiences here makes me feel less anxious about calling ESD to fix it. It's reassuring to know that they're used to these kinds of honest mistakes and that self-reporting early actually works in your favor. Thanks for sharing your update too - gives me hope that I can get this sorted out quickly!

Update for anyone still reading - I went ahead and filed my claim yesterday. The online application was pretty straightforward and I should hear back within a couple weeks. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!

I just went through this exact situation last month! My temp assignment ended unexpectedly when the company I was placed at had budget cuts. I was nervous about filing because I wasn't sure if it would count, but I qualified for benefits without any issues. The key thing that helped me was keeping all my documentation from the temp agency - the original assignment paperwork, any communications about the end date, etc. Washington ESD processed my claim in about 10 days and I started receiving benefits right away. Don't hesitate to file if your assignment truly ended through no fault of your own!