i kno someone who had there benefits denied after quiting a job that didn't even give them breaks... esd is just impossible to deal with

That's unfortunate for your friend, but each case is different. Meal and rest break violations are actually specifically mentioned in ESD's guidelines as potential good cause for quitting, but proper documentation is crucial. Without knowing all the details of your friend's case, it's hard to say why they were denied. They may have had success if they appealed the decision with proper documentation.

Has anyone else at your work quit because of this? If other employees left for the same reason, that would strengthen your case with ESD. When I went through something similar, having two former coworkers who could verify the hostile environment made a huge difference in my hearing.

Given what you've shared so far, it sounds like you have a potentially valid claim for good cause voluntary quit. To summarize the best approach: 1. Document everything thoroughly 2. Formally report the issues in writing (email) 3. Give the employer a reasonable opportunity to correct the situation 4. If nothing improves, consider your resignation letter carefully - clearly state you're resigning due to the hostile work environment 5. File for unemployment immediately after leaving 6. Be prepared for adjudication and possibly appeals 7. Continue looking for work and documenting your job search The fact that others have quit for similar reasons strengthens your case. If you can get statements from them, that would be valuable evidence. I know how stressful this situation is. No one should have to work in an environment where they're yelled at and belittled.

Quick update on the specific issues you mentioned seeing in your account: "Able and Available" usually means they need to verify you're able to work and available for work during your claim period. This is often triggered if you reported being sick, on vacation, or unable to work for any reason during a weekly claim. "Job Separation" issues usually mean they need more details about why your employment ended. Your employer may have provided information that doesn't match what you reported. If you can see these issues but no instructions for resolving them, it likely means they're waiting for information from your employer or they're preparing to interview you. Call the main line and specifically ask for a Tier 2 specialist who can see the details of these issues. Regular agents often can't see or explain these pending issues.

Ok so everyones giving good advice but missing the MOST IMPORTANT THING - with a 3 day pay or vacate notice, you need to respond IMMEDIATELY with a written notice that you're waiting on unemployment. Washington state has tenant protections that can buy you time. Go to washingtonlawhelp.org right now and look up the eviction defense forms. Just filling that out can buy you an extra 2-3 weeks legally. For your utilities, call and ask for their hardship program ASAP - most have to offer payment plans before disconnection.

To the person asking about reduced hours: Yes, you can potentially qualify for partial unemployment if your hours were significantly reduced. It's called

I actually have an email from the owner announcing the permanent closure to all staff, so I'll definitely include that. Thanks!

this happened to my cousin last month! turns out he had holiday pay they didn't know about at first and it changed his whole calculation. maybe check if you had any special pay they might have missed initially?

After you file your appeal, make sure to monitor your eServices account daily. ESD often sends requests for additional information with very short deadlines (sometimes just 48 hours). Missing these can cause bigger problems. If you have a smartphone, set up email notifications for your ESD account so you don't miss anything important.