The bottom line is don't overthink it. Report the work honestly on your weekly claim, keep good records, and let Washington ESD do the math. You're doing everything right by asking these questions upfront.

Congratulations on the job offer! I went through something similar and want to echo what others have said - definitely report the work when you file your weekly claim. The good news is that Washington ESD's partial benefit system is actually pretty fair. With 20 hours at part-time wages, you'll likely still qualify for some unemployment benefits. Just make sure to keep track of your exact hours worked and gross pay each week. The online system will walk you through reporting it when you certify. Don't stress too much - you're handling this the right way by asking questions upfront!

Just to add one more thing - the notification your employer gets is pretty basic and factual. It's not like they're getting a detailed essay about why you left or anything dramatic. It's mostly just confirming employment dates and separation reason.

I went through this exact same worry when I filed my claim in Washington about 6 months ago. Yes, your employer will get notified, but honestly it was way less dramatic than I built it up in my head. The notice they receive is just a standard form - very bureaucratic and matter-of-fact. My former manager never even mentioned it to me when we ran into each other later. Most employers deal with these notifications regularly and it's really just part of normal business operations. Don't let anxiety about the notification process delay you from filing if you need the benefits - that's what the system is there for!

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful advice here! I was really stressed about the timing and process, but now I have a clear plan. I'll set up my account this weekend, gather all my employment documents, and then file my claim the day after my last day of work. It's reassuring to know that so many people have gone through this successfully. One question though - should I expect any confirmation email or notification after I submit my initial claim?

As someone who recently went through this process, I can confirm the advice here is spot on. File the day after your last day of work, not before. I made the mistake of filing too early thinking it would save time, but it actually caused delays because Washington ESD had to adjust my claim start date. Also, be patient with the phone system - it's frustrating but the online system at esd.wa.gov works much better for most things. Make sure you have your Social Security card, ID, and pay stubs ready before you start. The whole process took about 20 minutes online once I had everything organized. Don't stress too much - thousands of people do this successfully every week!

Update us on how it goes! I'm curious to hear if you're able to get any backdating approved. Good luck with everything, and remember to file that current claim today if you haven't already.

I went through something similar a few years back when I was laid off and waited about 6 weeks to file because I was also confident I'd land something quickly. Unfortunately, Washington ESD denied my backdating request because "thinking you'd find work soon" isn't considered good cause under their rules. However, I'd still encourage you to try - gather any documentation you might have (even if it seems minor) and definitely call them to explain your situation. The worst they can do is say no, but you might get lucky if you can frame it as circumstances beyond your control. And absolutely file your current claim TODAY - don't lose another week of potential benefits while you're dealing with the backdating request.

Also worth mentioning - even if your employer contests your claim based on their separation notice, you can appeal any negative decisions. Don't give up if you get denied initially.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you file your claim online, there's a section where you can explain your side of the story about why your employment ended. Don't skip this part! Even though your employer will send their separation notice, Washington ESD wants to hear from you too. Be honest and detailed about the circumstances, especially if there were any issues like attendance problems due to legitimate reasons (childcare, medical issues, etc.). This information gets reviewed alongside whatever your employer reports.