Good luck with your appeal! Keep us posted on how it goes. It sounds like you have a legitimate case with the unsafe working conditions and your attempts to resolve them.

Just want to echo what others said about using Claimyr if you need to reach Washington ESD. I was skeptical at first but it really does work better than trying to call directly. Worth it when you need answers about important stuff like appeals.

One last tip - create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account first if you don't already have one. You'll need it to access the Washington ESD online services and it can take a few minutes to set up.

just want to add that if anyone else needs to actually talk to washington esd on the phone, that claimyr service really does work. used it twice now when i couldnt get through the normal way

Remember you have to do your weekly claims too once you file. Don't let that slip or you could lose benefits even if your employer isn't affected.

At the end of the day, unemployment insurance is there to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Don't feel guilty about using it.

Pro tip: keep detailed records of everything when you're on unemployment. Your job search activities, any work you do, all communication with Washington ESD. It can save you a lot of headaches if they ever audit your claim.

The monetary determination notice you get will break down exactly how they calculated your benefit amount. It shows your wages for each quarter in your base period and how they arrived at your weekly benefit amount. Keep that document safe!

The part-time work might also help you build skills or connections that lead to full-time work. That's what happened to me - started part-time at a company and they hired me full-time after 2 months when they saw my work.

Just make sure the part-time job doesn't interfere with any job interviews or opportunities for full-time work. You're still supposed to be actively seeking full-time employment even while working part-time.