I'm sorry this happened to you - it's such a frustrating and stressful situation when you're trying to do the right thing by giving proper notice! Based on everything I've read here, you definitely have a strong case for unemployment benefits. The fact that they used the word "terminated" and escorted you out creates a clear paper trail that this was their decision, not yours. Make sure when you file to emphasize that you gave written notice with the intention of working your full two weeks, but they chose to end your employment immediately instead. This is a textbook case of employer-initiated separation. Good luck with your move to Spokane and your claim!

What a terrible way to treat someone after 3.5 years of loyal service! I'm really sorry this happened to you. The silver lining here is that your employer actually did you a favor legally - by terminating you instead of accepting your resignation, they've made you eligible for unemployment benefits. I went through something similar a few years back (gave notice for a new job, got walked out the same day) and ESD approved my claim without any issues. The key things that helped me: 1) I had documentation of my resignation letter, 2) I had their termination notice in writing, and 3) I was very clear in my application that THEY ended my employment, not me. It sounds like you have all of this covered. Don't let their unprofessional behavior discourage you - file that claim tonight and get the benefits you're entitled to!

I went through this exact same scenario about 6 months ago! My supervisor changed my reported hours from 28 to 35 after I'd already filed my weekly claim, and I was freaking out just like you are. Here's what worked for me: I immediately logged into eServices and used the "Benefit Payment Correction" option (not just general reporting - this is key). I uploaded screenshots of my original timesheet submission, the changed version, and text messages between me and my supervisor about the mix-up. I also wrote a detailed explanation of exactly what happened and when. The good news: it only triggered about a 2-week adjudication period because I was proactive about reporting it myself. They did hold my next payment while reviewing it, but once they saw all my documentation proving it was an honest mistake, they cleared it pretty quickly. I had to pay back the overpayment (about $120 in my case), but no penalties or fraud accusations. The key is acting fast and being totally transparent with all your evidence. Your text messages proving the timeline will be huge in your favor. Don't let this stress you out too much - ESD deals with employer hour changes all the time, and they can usually tell the difference between honest mistakes and intentional fraud.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - my hours got adjusted after I filed too. Reading through everyone's advice here has been super helpful! Just wanted to add that when you upload your text messages as evidence, make sure the timestamps are clearly visible in the screenshots. ESD really cares about being able to see exactly when things happened. Also, if your foreman is willing to help, having him send you an email acknowledging that he changed the hours without notifying you first could be really valuable documentation. Good luck - it sounds like you're handling this the right way by being proactive!

This is exactly why we need better oversight of employer wage reporting! I work in HR and see this kind of mess all the time - companies switch payroll systems, merge with other businesses, or just have undertrained staff who don't understand how to properly categorize employees for state reporting. It shouldn't be the worker's responsibility to fix their employer's mistakes, especially when you're already dealing with the stress of being laid off. For anyone else reading this who might face similar issues: always keep your own records! Save your paystubs, timesheets, and any employment documentation. The state systems rely entirely on what employers report, but employers make mistakes constantly. Having your own paper trail makes the wage investigation process much smoother. Great job persisting through this @NeonNova - 2-3 weeks is actually pretty fast for ESD to resolve wage investigations from what I've seen!

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone dealing with this - if you're having trouble getting through to ESD even with the calling services, try reaching out to your local WorkSource office. They often have direct lines to ESD specialists and can help advocate for you or even initiate the wage investigation on your behalf. I had a friend who got her issue resolved in just a few days by going through WorkSource instead of trying to navigate ESD directly. They're way more helpful and actually understand how frustrating the system can be!

I just went through this same process last month and it was definitely frustrating at first. Here's what worked for me: take photos in natural daylight near a window, use a plain white piece of paper as background, and make sure every corner of your documents is visible and flat. For the social security card especially, the numbers need to be crystal clear - that seems to be where a lot of people get stuck. Also double-check that your name is spelled exactly the same way across all documents and your original application. Even small differences like "Jr." vs "Junior" can cause delays. The whole process took about 10 days once I submitted good quality photos.

Just wanted to share my recent experience with Washington ESD identity verification since I see so many people struggling with this. I finally got approved after being stuck for almost 3 weeks! Here's what made the difference: I used my phone's document scanner app instead of just the regular camera - it automatically adjusts lighting and contrast which made my documents much clearer. Also, I learned that if you have any name variations (like maiden name, nicknames, etc.) anywhere in your work history, you might need additional documentation to prove they're all the same person. In my case, I had to submit my marriage certificate because my previous employer had my maiden name on file. The process is definitely a pain but hang in there - once you get the right documents submitted clearly, it goes through pretty quickly.

Remember that the appeal hearing is your chance to tell your side of the story. Don't let Washington ESD's initial decision discourage you - many appeals succeed when people actually fight them.

Good luck with your appeal! It sounds like you have a strong case since you were told it was budget cuts but they're now claiming misconduct. That inconsistency alone should help you. I went through something similar last year - the key is staying calm and sticking to your timeline of events. Document everything you can remember about when they told you it was layoffs vs when the misconduct claim appeared. The hearing officers really do try to be fair, so don't get intimidated by the process.