this whole thread is so helpful!! im in almost teh exact same situation but with a coworker not a trainer. saving all this advice for myself too. good luck OP hope it works out for u

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add - if you do end up quitting and filing for unemployment, be prepared for the fact that your former employer might contest your claim even if they know they were in the wrong. Some companies automatically contest every unemployment claim regardless of the circumstances just to try to keep their unemployment insurance rates low. Also, when you talk to your doctor about the anxiety/panic attacks, ask them to specifically document how your work environment is contributing to these symptoms. The more detailed the medical documentation, the stronger your case will be. My therapist wrote a letter stating that my workplace stress was "significantly exacerbating" my anxiety disorder, and I think that language really helped during my appeals process. Hang in there - toxic workplaces are awful and you deserve better than what you're dealing with.

man this whole thread is making me grateful I haven't had to deal with this stuff yet but also worried about what happens when my parents get older. scary to think about

This is such valuable information! I'm actually in a similar situation - my father-in-law has been declining rapidly and we're starting to think about care options. It's reassuring to know that Washington recognizes family caregiving as good cause for unemployment benefits. I had no idea this was even a possibility. Thanks for sharing your story and best of luck with your claim, Samantha. Your mom is lucky to have someone who cares so much about her wellbeing.

Also, be prepared that if you do qualify, the maximum weekly benefit amount in 2025 is $1075. Your actual amount will depend on your earnings during your base year. The formula is basically 3.85% of your average quarterly wages in your highest-paid quarters. So do the math before you make any decisions to see if you can actually survive on UI benefits while job hunting.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - workplace harassment and hostile environments are incredibly draining on your mental health. I've been in a similar situation and want to share what I learned from my experience with ESD. The key thing is that Washington does allow unemployment benefits for voluntary quits IF you can prove "good cause." For hostile work environment cases, ESD looks for: 1. **Clear pattern of harassment/hostile behavior** - Keep detailed records with dates, times, witnesses, and specific incidents 2. **Good faith effort to resolve** - You must give your employer a reasonable chance to fix the problem through formal complaints 3. **No reasonable alternative** - Show you explored other options (transfers, HR complaints, etc.) Since you mentioned talking to your hiring manager twice but only verbally, I'd strongly recommend putting your concerns in writing via email. Something like: "Following up on our conversations about the ongoing workplace issues I've experienced with [coworker's name]. As discussed, [specific examples with dates]. This behavior is creating a hostile work environment that's affecting my ability to perform my job duties. I need management to take action to resolve this situation." Give them 2-3 weeks to respond/take action after the written complaint. If nothing changes, you'll have much stronger documentation for an ESD claim. Also document any anxiety/health impacts with your doctor if possible. The process can be lengthy (adjudication often takes 4-8 weeks), but many people do successfully get benefits approved for hostile work environment quits when they have proper documentation.

One more thing - if you need to reach Washington ESD before your hearing to clarify anything, I had success using Claimyr after weeks of trying to call on my own. Worth checking out their website at claimyr.com if you're having trouble getting through.

I went through a similar hearing last month where my employer disputed my claim saying I was fired for tardiness when I was actually terminated due to company restructuring. My employer didn't show up either, and while the hearing was much easier without them there, the judge still made me walk through the entire situation step by step. Make sure you have all your dates straight and can clearly explain the timeline of events leading to your layoff. The judge will want to understand exactly what happened and why you believe it was a layoff rather than misconduct. Having that email about budget cuts will definitely help your case - anything that shows the company was having financial issues supports your version of events. You've got this!

Pro tip: if you get denied for any reason, appeal immediately. Don't wait. The appeal deadlines are strict and you can't get benefits while waiting for an appeal hearing if you miss the deadline.

The reality is that unemployment benefits aren't designed to fully replace your income. They're meant to provide temporary assistance while you look for work. Most people need to make significant budget adjustments to make it work.