Can I apply for Washington ESD unemployment if I resign from my job?

What kind of documentation would I need? I have some emails but nothing super formal.

Keep all emails, write down dates and details of incidents, and if possible try to address the issues with HR or your supervisor in writing first. Washington ESD will want to see you made reasonable efforts to fix the situation before quitting.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. Did you appeal the decision at all?

no i didn't appeal, maybe i should have but i just needed to find another job quickly

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks but can never get through. How much does Claimyr cost?

It's worth checking out their site for current info. The main thing is it actually works - I was shocked how fast I got connected to a real ESD agent instead of being stuck in phone tree hell.

I've heard of claimyr too, seems legit from what people say on here

I can't afford an attorney right now. Are there any free resources for this kind of advice?

Try contacting WorkSource Washington - they have employment counselors who can help with workplace issues. Also check if your area has a legal aid society that offers free consultations.

most attorneys will do a free consultation for employment stuff anyway, at least the ones ive talked to

It's mostly verbal abuse and unrealistic expectations. Like screaming at me in front of other people and giving me impossible deadlines then blaming me when I can't meet them.

that sounds awful but washington esd is pretty strict about what counts as good cause. you'd probably need witnesses or some kind of documentation

How long did the appeal process take? I'm worried about being without income for months.

My appeal took about 6 weeks total. You can still look for other work while the appeal is pending. Also consider whether you might qualify for other assistance programs in the meantime.

Did you have to go to a hearing or anything like that?

Yes, I had a phone hearing where I explained my situation to an administrative law judge. Having all my documentation ready really helped.

While it can be frustrating, Washington ESD has to follow specific legal criteria. The system is designed to provide benefits for people who lose jobs through no fault of their own, so the bar for voluntary quits is necessarily higher.

i get that but when someone is being harassed or abused at work they shouldnt have to jump through a million hoops to get help

That's interesting - how would I even bring that up with HR without tipping them off that I want to quit?

You could frame it as exploring all options to resolve the workplace issues. Say you're concerned about the work environment and wondering if there are any mutual solutions that might work for everyone.

I definitely don't want to do anything that could hurt my reputation in the industry. I just want out of this situation.

@user8 Please don't suggest that someone try to get fired - that could backfire in many ways and hurt their future employment prospects.

What if I tried to report the harassment to HR but they didn't do anything about it? Would that help my case?

Yes, absolutely. If you can show you reported workplace issues through proper channels and the employer failed to address them, that strengthens a good cause argument significantly.

That gives me hope! How detailed did your documentation need to be?

very detailed. dates, times, what was said, any witnesses, emails, everything. also helped that i had tried to resolve it through hr first

Did the Claimyr service help you understand the appeal process too or just get you connected?

they just help you get connected to an actual esd agent, but that agent was super helpful in explaining what i needed to do for the appeal

I hadn't thought of that option. Would I need to ask my employer to reduce my hours?

you could try but they dont have to agree to it. partial unemployment is for when your hours get cut involuntarily

I'll definitely look into that. Do you know if they can help with documentation for potential unemployment claims too?

They can provide guidance on documentation and may be able to help you understand what would constitute good cause under Washington law.

Good point. I was wondering about that - do they always contact the employer?

Yes, they send a separation notice to your employer asking for their side of the story. Your employer can dispute your claim if they disagree with your version of events.

That makes me nervous but I guess if I have good documentation it should be okay.

The process can be frustrating, but there are legal requirements they have to follow. The good news is there are resources available to help people navigate it.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr exist - to help people actually get through to ESD agents who can provide proper guidance instead of getting stuck in the phone system.

That sounds like a smart approach. Remember to keep copies of everything and document any retaliation if it occurs after you report the issues.

Good luck! Feel free to update us on how it goes. These situations are never easy but you're taking the right steps.

And don't forget about that Claimyr option if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Sometimes getting real advice from an agent makes all the difference.

Thanks! I'm sorry your situation didn't work out. Maybe it's not too late to look into appealing that denial?

maybe, though its been a while now. i should probably look into that claimyr thing too if i decide to try again