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This whole thread is making me feel better about my situation too. Filed my first claim last week and have been worried about the timing.
The unemployment rate also doesn't account for people who are working multiple part-time jobs just to make ends meet. Washington's cost of living in some areas means even full employment doesn't guarantee financial stability.
Bottom line: 4.1% is the current official rate but look deeper into your specific industry and location. The state average can be misleading depending on where you want to live and what kind of work you do.
Don't forget that if you do qualify, you'll need to do weekly claims and job search activities to keep getting benefits. But that's a whole separate topic from just qualifying initially.
Also watch out for the one week waiting period. Even if you qualify, you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment. Caught me off guard when I first filed.
I got disqualified initially because I didn't understand how to properly document my job search activities. Make sure you keep detailed records of every application, networking contact, and job fair you attend.
Mary Bates
The safety complaint angle might actually help your case. Washington has strong protections for workers who report safety violations. If you can show you were fired in retaliation for raising legitimate safety concerns, that could strengthen your unemployment claim.
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Philip Cowan
•I documented everything in emails so I have proof of the safety issues I raised. Hopefully that will help if Washington ESD needs to review the circumstances.
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Clay blendedgen
Bottom line - file your claim, be honest, keep looking for work, and don't let your employer intimidate you. The unemployment system exists to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Performance issues usually fall into that category.
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Philip Cowan
•Thank you everyone for all the advice and encouragement. I'm going to file my claim right now and start my job search. This thread has been incredibly helpful!
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