Can ESD approve unemployment when fired for poor performance?

Yes, I got approved after being terminated for "not meeting expectations" at my accounting job last year. The key thing ESD looks at is whether it was misconduct or just poor performance. Misconduct means you deliberately violated policy or intentionally did something wrong. Just not being good enough at your job is usually NOT misconduct in ESD's eyes. Since you didn't get formal write-ups and it sounds like the targets kept changing, you have a good chance. Make sure when you explain your side during the fact-finding interview that you emphasize you were TRYING to meet the targets but the goals were inconsistent. Best of luck!

Simple answer: YES you can get benefits when fired for performance. Being BAD at your job is not the same as MISCONDUCT, which is what ESD cares about. Misconduct means you intentionally violated rules or policies. Just not hitting sales targets isn't misconduct. Be prepared for them to contact your employer though. Your employer will likely fight it. Be 100% honest about everything - don't exaggerate or lie because that will backfire.

I went through this EXACT situation in 2025!! Got let go from my marketing position for "failure to meet metrics" but the metrics were literally impossible. ESD approved me after a 6-week adjudication process. My ex-employer appealed but lost. Keep all emails about changing goals/targets as evidence!

My experience was similar but got denied at first. Had to appeal and then won. Keep good notes about everything and be super honest. Don't say anything negative about ur boss during interviews even if they were awful. Just stick to facts about the job duties and changing expectations.

I'm in the middle of a similar situation right now and it's HELL trying to get through to ESD to check my claim status. Been pending for 5 weeks with no updates. If anyone needs to actually TALK to ESD, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). Costs money but they actually got me connected to a real agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent told me performance-based terminations usually get approved unless there's evidence of intentional misconduct or gross negligence. Just sucks waiting forever to find out.

Don't even bother applying if your boss can prove you were lazy or didn't try. The system is rigged against workers - I got denied because my former employer brought up one time I was on my phone during a meeting MONTHS before I was fired for missing sales targets. Complete BS but ESD sided with them.

Thanks everyone for the responses! Update: I got the fact-finding interview scheduled for next week. I've documented all the times the sales goals changed (found old emails showing 5 different target changes in 6 months!) and I'm going to focus on just the facts like you all suggested. I'll let you know how it goes.

Anyone know if having a PIp (performance improvement plan) hurts your case? I was put on one 2 weeks before being let go but wasnt given the full time to improve that was promised in the Plan. Thinking of applying for UI but worried this looks bad?

FINAL UPDATE: My claim was APPROVED! Had my fact-finding interview and the adjudicator said that since I didn't have any written warnings and could show the sales targets kept changing, it wasn't considered misconduct. The interviewer also mentioned they could tell I was making an effort to meet the goals. Benefits were deposited yesterday including back pay for the waiting period. Thanks everyone for your help!