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Make sure your paper addresses regional variations too. What's considered the most serious unemployment type can vary by geographic area and local economic conditions.
This has been a really helpful discussion! It sounds like structural unemployment is generally considered most serious by economists and policymakers because it requires the most intervention and persists even during economic growth, but the answer should acknowledge the complexity and context-dependent nature of unemployment policy.
Whatever the reason ends up being, you really should call Washington ESD to get it clarified. I know the phone lines are terrible but it's the only way to get real answers. That Claimyr service made it so much easier for me - they handle the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit on hold for hours.
Bottom line - don't panic about one disqualified week unless it becomes a pattern. Focus on figuring out what caused it so you can avoid it in the future. Most of these issues are fixable if you stay on top of them.
Another heads up - your former employer will get a notice about your unemployment claim and they have the right to contest it if they think you shouldn't get benefits. Most employers don't bother unless it was a termination for serious misconduct, but just be aware it could happen.
Don't forget that you'll need to file weekly claims every week once your initial claim is processed, even if you're still waiting for a determination. Missing a weekly claim can delay your benefits.
I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually worked! Got through to an agent who explained that my claim was waiting for my previous employer to respond to a separation verification request. At least now I know what's happening.
Bottom line: 'In Progress' means wait and keep filing your weekly claims. There's not much else you can do except be patient. The system is slow but it usually works eventually.
Zoe Kyriakidou
This whole situation is exactly why I tell everyone to keep their own records of everything. Pay stubs, work schedules, everything. You never know when you'll need to prove your employment history.
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Freya Thomsen
•Definitely a lesson learned. I'm going to be much more careful about documentation going forward.
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Jamal Brown
Hope it works out for you. The restaurant industry is notorious for this kind of thing. Maybe once you're back on your feet you can look for employers who do things properly.
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Freya Thomsen
•That's definitely the plan. I want to work somewhere that follows the law and treats employees fairly.
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Mei Zhang
•there are good restaurants out there that do everything by the book, just gotta find them
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