The bottom line is yes, you can potentially get unemployment if you resign, but the bar is pretty high for proving good cause. Hour cuts like yours might qualify, but toxic environment alone probably won't unless you have solid documentation of harassment or illegal behavior.

Just wanted to add that Washington ESD also considers "constructive dismissal" - where your employer makes working conditions so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. The significant hour reduction from 40 to 25 hours could fall under this category, especially if it wasn't discussed or agreed to beforehand. You might want to look into whether your situation meets the legal definition of constructive dismissal, as that's often treated more favorably than a standard resignation. Keep detailed records of when the hour cuts started and any communication about them.

Late to this thread but wanted to mention that Washington state also has resources through WorkSource for people dealing with workplace issues. They might be able to help you navigate both the job search and benefits aspects of your situation.

I've been in a similar situation and wanted to share some additional perspective. While the good cause exceptions do exist, I'd strongly recommend trying to resolve the issues through your company's HR department first if you haven't already. Washington ESD will often ask if you attempted to use internal processes before quitting. Even if HR doesn't fix the problem, having that documentation of your attempt to resolve it internally can significantly strengthen your case. Also, consider reaching out to an employment attorney for a consultation - many offer free initial consultations and can help you understand both your unemployment eligibility and whether you might have other legal options regarding the harassment. Sometimes just having that legal perspective can help you make a more informed decision about your next steps.

Because it's not just based on annual salary - it's based on your quarterly earnings pattern. Someone making $60K all in one quarter would get different benefits than someone making $15K each quarter.

That's a great explanation of how the quarterly earnings pattern affects benefits! I'm starting to understand why my coworker who made the same annual salary as me got a different benefit amount. She had more consistent quarterly earnings while mine were higher in some quarters due to bonuses and overtime. It makes sense now that they use your highest quarter divided by 13 weeks as the basis for the calculation.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I'm going to apply anyway just to see what happens, look into the misclassification angle, and research local assistance programs. Hopefully something will work out.

I'm a freelance writer who went through a similar situation last year. While traditional UI doesn't cover contractors, I found a few things that helped bridge the gap: 1) Applied for SNAP benefits (food stamps) - these don't require employment history, 2) Looked into local workforce development programs that sometimes offer emergency grants for self-employed individuals, and 3) Contacted 211 (dial 2-1-1) for a comprehensive list of assistance programs in your area. Also, don't overlook small business emergency loan programs - even as a freelancer, you might qualify for some relief options. The situation sucks, but there are more resources than you might think once you start digging.

I'm in a similar boat - just exhausted my benefits last week and feeling that same anxiety about potential future issues! Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful. It sounds like as long as you've been honest and followed all the rules, surprise audits are relatively uncommon. I've been keeping digital copies of everything too, just in case. The waiting period after exhaustion definitely creates a lot of mental stress, but it seems like most people who had clean claims don't hear anything further. Thanks for starting this thread - it's reassuring to know others have gone through this successfully!

I just exhausted my benefits two weeks ago and was having the exact same worries! From what I've learned talking to others and reading online, if your claim was clean throughout the 26 weeks (no overpayments, accurate reporting, proper job searches), the chances of them coming back with issues later are pretty low. That said, I'm definitely keeping all my documentation for at least a year just to be safe. The hardest part is the uncertainty - you want closure but there's always that nagging worry in the back of your mind. Good luck with your interview next week! Landing a new job is really the best way to put all this ESD stress behind you for good.