Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment if I get fired from my job?

That's a relief to hear. It's definitely performance related, not misconduct. I've been struggling to meet their sales targets but I haven't done anything dishonest or inappropriate.

Just make sure you document everything too. If they try to claim misconduct when you file your claim, you'll want evidence it was really performance.

What counts as misconduct though? I've been late a few times but nothing major.

Being late occasionally usually isn't considered willful misconduct unless it's excessive and you were warned multiple times. Washington ESD looks at whether your actions were deliberate and violated reasonable employer expectations.

What exactly counts as misconduct? I've been late a few times and made some mistakes, but nothing really serious.

Being late occasionally or making honest mistakes usually isn't considered misconduct. Washington ESD looks for deliberate violations of company policy or behavior that shows willful disregard for your employer's interests.

How do I know if Washington ESD considers what I did as misconduct? Like what's the line between poor performance and misconduct?

Misconduct is usually willful or deliberate actions - like violating company policy on purpose, being dishonest, or refusing to do your job. Missing sales goals or struggling with tasks isn't misconduct.

How did you end up reaching them? I've heard the phone system is terrible.

I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have this video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call myself.

That's somewhat reassuring. I did get written up twice for tardiness but both times were because my car wouldn't start. Does that count as willful misconduct?

Probably not if you can document the car issues. Keep any repair receipts or towing records. Washington ESD considers whether you had control over the situation.

That's reassuring to hear. What exactly does Washington ESD consider misconduct? I haven't stolen anything or been violent or anything like that.

Misconduct for Washington ESD unemployment purposes is usually things like theft, violence, willful violation of company policy, or gross negligence. Performance issues alone rarely disqualify you.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved after you filed?

Mine went through pretty quick, maybe 2 weeks. But I've heard others wait longer if there's an adjudication issue.

How long does that adjudication process usually take? I'm worried about paying bills while they investigate.

Adjudication can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on how complex your case is and how quickly Washington ESD can get information from your employer.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about the wait time.

Mine took about 3 weeks because it went to adjudication. They had to review the circumstances of my termination, but once they determined it wasn't misconduct, I got approved and received back pay.

How long did it take for them to decide? I'm worried about the waiting period while they investigate.

Mine took about 3 weeks for the adjudication to complete. They had to contact my employer and get their side of the story.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true.

Yeah it's real, I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

I've heard good things about Claimyr from other people dealing with Washington ESD phone issues. Sometimes you really need to talk to a human to sort things out.

It's because unemployment insurance is meant to help people who lose their job through no fault of their own. If you quit voluntarily, that's your choice. If you're fired for reasons beyond your control, you need the safety net.

ok that makes sense when you put it that way

Is that legitimate? I've never heard of paying someone to help you call a government agency.

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but desperate after trying to call Washington ESD for days. They just automate the calling process so you don't have to sit there hitting redial.

I might need to try that too. I've been trying to reach them about my own claim for weeks.

Did your employer try to fight your claim? I'm worried mine might since they've been documenting my performance issues.

Yeah they contested it but I won the appeal. I had to explain my side of the story and provide documentation showing I was trying to improve.

Thanks for the tip! How much does that service cost? I'm already worried about money.

It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly it saved me so much stress not having to redial Washington ESD hundreds of times. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who can explain what's happening with your claim.

How much does that cost? I'm already broke and can't afford to pay for something like that.

It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly after spending weeks trying to get through on my own, it was a lifesaver. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.

Did you appeal the decision? That sounds like it could be overturned if there wasn't clear misconduct.

Yeah I appealed and eventually won but it took 2 months! Meanwhile bills kept coming...

Good point. I do have some emails where my supervisor was trying to help me improve, so maybe that would help show I wasn't being willfully negligent.

Exactly! Washington ESD wants to see that you were making a good faith effort. Those emails could be really helpful if your claim gets contested.

While some employers do contest claims unnecessarily, Washington ESD does a pretty thorough job investigating each case to make sure benefits go to people who qualify.

maybe but it still puts people through weeks of stress while they wait for adjudication

What happens during the investigation? Do I need to provide documents or anything?

They'll contact both you and your employer to get statements. Sometimes there's a phone interview. Just be honest about what happened and stick to the facts.

And if they deny your claim initially, you can appeal! Don't give up if the first decision doesn't go your way.

What kind of documentation should I gather? I don't have much paperwork from work.

Anything showing the reasons for your termination, proof of issues beyond your control (like car repairs), and your work history. Even text messages about calling in sick can help.

What kind of questions do they ask during adjudication?

They'll ask about the specific incidents that led to your termination, whether you received warnings, if you had a chance to improve, etc. Just be truthful about everything.

What if they claim it was for cause but I disagree? Do I have any recourse?

Absolutely, you can file an appeal if your claim is denied. You'll have a hearing where you can present your side of the story and provide evidence.

How soon after getting fired should I file? Is there a deadline?

File as soon as possible. You can file online through the Washington ESD website, and the sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed.

Were you getting written up for the attendance before they fired you?

yeah had a couple warnings but nothing formal. they said it was 'performance related' on my termination paperwork

I'll definitely check that out. Thanks for the tip about their website having that info.

Have you tried calling them to check the status? I'm dreading having to deal with their phone system.

I've tried calling dozens of times but either get busy signals or get disconnected after being on hold for hours. It's incredibly frustrating.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. The Washington ESD phone system is impossible to get through on your own.

That's not accurate. Washington ESD approves many claims where people were terminated, as long as it wasn't for misconduct. The law is on the worker's side if the firing wasn't for willful violations.

Exactly. Being fired for poor performance or attendance issues that weren't intentional is different from being fired for theft or insubordination.

This is good advice. I thought I wouldn't qualify after getting fired but ended up being approved.

How quickly should I file after getting terminated?

File as soon as possible. There's a waiting week anyway, so the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if approved.

What are the current job search requirements for Washington ESD? I haven't had to look for work in 2 years.

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep detailed records. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities at any time.

How long do you have to file an appeal if they deny your claim?

You have 30 days from the date on the determination notice to file an appeal with Washington ESD. Don't miss that deadline!

Good point, I'll file right away if it happens. Is there a waiting period before benefits start?

There's usually a one-week waiting period before you start receiving payments, but you still need to file your weekly claim for that week.

I don't have any written warnings, just verbal ones. Will that hurt my case?

Actually that might help you. If they didn't document issues properly, it could work in your favor during adjudication.

How long does the appeal process take? I can't afford to be without income for months.

Mine took about 6 weeks total including the hearing. But you should file right away regardless because there's a waiting week before benefits start anyway.

That's exactly what I'm worried about - not meeting their sales expectations. Good to hear you got approved though.

Yeah, as long as you weren't doing anything intentionally wrong, you should be fine. The phone situation is still terrible though - I eventually had to get help from one of those callback services.

What was your appeal process like? How long did it take?

MONTHS. Had to do a phone hearing and everything. But I eventually won because my employer couldn't prove misconduct.

Good point, I wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks for the tip.

That makes me feel better. Did Washington ESD ask you a lot of questions about why you were late?

not really just had to explain it wasnt intentional and that i was trying to fix the problem

Did you have to give them your personal information to use the service?

It's pretty straightforward to use. The main benefit is just getting connected to an actual Washington ESD person instead of being stuck in phone tree hell for hours.

How many jobs do I need to apply to each week?

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, networking, interviews, etc. Keep detailed records.

That's probably not accurate. Washington ESD is pretty consistent about misconduct cases. Theft would definitely be grounds for denial.

I'm just saying what I've seen in my own experience. Maybe they didn't report the real reason or something.

Good point, I'll file immediately if it happens. How long does the whole process usually take?

If there's no dispute from your employer, usually 1-2 weeks to get your first payment. If they contest it, could be longer while Washington ESD investigates.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? I want to make sure I meet the requirements.

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week. This can include applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep a log with dates and details.

The job search requirements can be tricky. You have to log at least 3 job search activities per week and keep detailed records.

yeah i wish someone had explained that better upfront. would have saved me some headaches

Definitely won't quit. I need this income and if they want me gone, they'll have to fire me.

Smart thinking. Let them make the decision so you're protected.

That's reassuring to hear from someone who's been through it. Did your employer try to fight either claim?

First time they didn't contest it. Second time (layoffs) they actually supported my claim. Some employers are reasonable about it.

Is that expensive? I'll probably be tight on money if this happens.

Way cheaper than taking time off work to call them repeatedly. Plus they actually get you through to someone who can help.

What were the circumstances if you don't mind me asking?

first time was layoffs, second time they said i wasnt a good fit but nothing about misconduct

The guidelines are actually pretty detailed in the Washington ESD handbook, but they use a lot of legal language that can be confusing for regular people.

Yeah exactly! They should have plain English examples of what does and doesn't qualify as misconduct.

That's a good point. I should probably write down everything that happened leading up to this situation.

Definitely. Include dates, witnesses if any, and any attempts you made to resolve the attendance issues.

Do they actually check your job search log or is it just honor system?

They can audit your job search activities, so it's important to keep detailed records. Some people get selected for random audits where they have to provide proof of their job search efforts.

I got audited last year and had to send in all my application confirmations and contact info. Glad I kept good records!

No, employer contests don't automatically disqualify you. Washington ESD will review both sides and make a decision based on the evidence. Many employer contests are unsuccessful.

That's reassuring. I was worried my boss would just lie to prevent me from getting benefits.

I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Been trying to reach them for weeks about my pending claim.

Definitely check out that video demo I linked. Shows exactly how the service connects you with ESD reps.

How much does something like that cost?

It's worth checking their site for current info, but honestly getting through to resolve my adjudication issue was priceless compared to being stuck in limbo.

Good tip! Should I also ask for a copy of my personnel file?

That's not a bad idea if you think there might be discrepancies between what's in your file and what actually happened. It could help your case if Washington ESD investigates.

Six weeks is a long time to wait! Did she try calling Washington ESD during that time?

She tried calling constantly but could never get through. This was before I knew about services like Claimyr that help you actually reach someone.

The job search requirements are part of the program though. They want to make sure people are actively looking for work while collecting benefits.

I KNOW THAT but their system for tracking it is terrible and their website crashes half the time

That gives me hope. My situation sounds similar - personality conflicts with management more than actual performance issues.

Exactly! As long as you weren't doing anything deliberately wrong, you should be okay.

My situation is more about car trouble than medical issues, but I guess the principle is the same - document that it was beyond my control.

Thanks for the reassurance. I'm trying not to panic but money is always stressful.

Totally understandable to be worried. Just remember you've been paying into the unemployment system through your taxes, so you've earned this benefit if you need it.

Yeah it would definitely be a firing, not a layoff. They're not eliminating the position, they just don't think I'm doing a good job in it.

Good point. I should probably familiarize myself with the weekly claims process now just in case.

The Washington ESD website has tutorials on how to do weekly claims. Worth looking at ahead of time so you're not scrambling later.

Interesting that attendance issues didn't count as misconduct. I would have thought that would be a problem.

I think it depends on whether it was willful or if there were legitimate reasons. In my case I had some family issues that made it hard to get to work consistently.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Feeling much less anxious about this possibility now. Hopefully it doesn't come to that but at least I know what to expect.

Good luck! And remember, even if they initially deny your claim, you have the right to appeal. Don't give up if the first decision doesn't go your way.

You have to wait until your last day of work. Can't file before you're actually terminated.

Good to know. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that but want to be prepared.

Did you appeal the insubordination decision?

nah was already starting a new job by then so didnt bother. probably should have though

How long do you have to file an appeal if you get denied?

30 days from when you receive the determination notice. Don't wait - appeal immediately if you disagree with the decision.

That's reassuring. I was worried about the financial gap during the adjudication period.

Yeah the backpay definitely helps. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while it's pending.

Should I mention that I think they're building a case against me, or just stick to facts if/when I get fired?

Stick to facts. Focus on what actually happened rather than your interpretations of their motives.

Is the online filing pretty straightforward? I've never done this before.

Yes, it walks you through step by step. Much easier than I expected.

Thanks, I needed to hear that. I've been feeling really anxious about the whole situation.

That's totally normal. Job loss is stressful enough without worrying about benefits too.

That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing your experience.

No problem! Just remember to keep looking for work and document everything. Good luck!

I'm definitely going to try this if I end up needing to file. Thanks for the recommendation!

I bookmarked that video demo link. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know it's there.

Thanks, that helps ease my anxiety about this whole situation. I just want to make sure I can support myself if this happens.

Totally understandable! Just remember to file immediately and be honest about what happened. Washington ESD appreciates honesty in these situations.

It sounds like a lot of people have had good experiences with that service. I'll definitely keep it in mind if I need to contact Washington ESD.

Yeah, check out the demo video if you want to see how it works. It's at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Way better than spending your whole day redialing Washington ESD and getting busy signals.

Yeah I definitely won't quit. I need these benefits if this situation goes south. Better to let them fire me if that's what's going to happen.

Exactly! Let them make the decision to terminate you. As long as you weren't committing misconduct, you should qualify for Washington ESD benefits.

I'll try to stay positive about it. At least now I know I have options and resources if I need to contact Washington ESD directly.

That's the right attitude! And remember, even if there's an initial delay, you'll get back pay for the weeks you were eligible once your claim is approved.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! This thread has really put my mind at ease about the whole situation. I feel much more prepared now.

Glad we could help! Feel free to post again if you have more questions after filing your claim.

Great point! I'll gather all that paperwork this weekend just in case. Better to be prepared than scrambling later.

Smart thinking! The more organized you are with your documentation, the smoother your Washington ESD claim process will go.

Did you have any issues with your claim since you were fired?

Nope, it was approved within 2 weeks. They determined I was fired for performance reasons, not misconduct, so I qualified for full benefits.

This is excellent advice. Having documentation can make the difference between approval and denial if there's a dispute.

I haven't been keeping records but I'll start now just in case. Better safe than sorry.

I hadn't thought about training programs. That could actually be a good opportunity to learn new skills.

Exactly! Sometimes getting fired can be a blessing in disguise if it leads you to better opportunities.

How long did the appeal process take?

About 6 weeks total including the hearing. She got back pay for all the weeks she would have been eligible.

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I've been really worried about this.

Good point. I'll make sure to be upfront about everything when I file.

Honesty really is the best policy with unemployment claims. They're going to find out the truth anyway when they contact your employer.

I'm trying to save up a little cushion just in case. Thanks for the heads up about the delay.

Smart move. Having some savings helps reduce the stress while you wait for the system to process everything.

That's a good point. I guess there's no harm in trying if I'm not sure.

Exactly! The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised and get approved.

Thank you everyone for all the advice! I feel much more prepared now if this situation happens.

Hope everything works out for you. Remember that getting fired isn't the end of the world, especially if you're eligible for unemployment benefits to help bridge the gap.

I'll definitely keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't need it, but good to know it's there.

I'm starting to think I might need to try that service. How much does it cost?

I don't want to post pricing here, but you can check their website. For me it was worth it to avoid the stress of calling hundreds of times myself.

I wasn't planning to lie, but I'm nervous about how to word things. Should I just be straightforward about the attendance issues?

Yes, be honest but also explain the circumstances. Don't just say 'I was late' - explain it was due to reliable transportation issues you were trying to resolve.

Thanks, I needed to hear that. This whole situation has me pretty stressed out.

That gives me hope. I just need to be patient and document everything properly.

Exactly. And don't be afraid to appeal if you get denied initially. Sometimes the first decision gets overturned on appeal.

Good point. Mine would definitely be classified as being fired, not laid off.

I'll start putting together a file with everything. Better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.

How do you request an appeal if needed?

You'll get instructions with your denial letter if it comes to that. You typically have 30 days to file an appeal from the date of the decision.

I'll check that out. Understanding their criteria ahead of time can only help my case.

Thank you everyone for all the advice. I feel much more prepared now for whatever happens.

Good luck with everything. Remember that unemployment insurance is there for situations exactly like yours.