Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment if business is sold?

Yes, you can potentially collect unemployment if you lose your job due to a business sale. The key is whether you have 'good cause' for leaving. If the new owners don't offer you comparable work or significantly change your job terms, that could qualify.

I went through this exact situation last year when my company was acquired. You have to wait and see what the new owners offer first. If they don't offer you a position, it's considered a layoff and you can file immediately. If they offer you something but it's substantially worse, you can quit and still potentially qualify.

Be careful about quitting too quickly. Washington ESD requires you to give the new employer a chance to provide comparable work. Document everything - the original job offer, any communications about changes, etc.

ugh this is so stressful!! my company got bought 6 months ago and they kept changing our schedules and cutting benefits. finally quit last month and now washington esd is taking forever to process my claim. still in adjudication

Important point - if you do qualify for UI after the business sale, your benefits will be based on wages from your previous employer, not the new company. Make sure you have your wage records ready when you file.

The whole system is rigged anyway. They'll find some excuse to deny your claim no matter what the circumstances are. Washington ESD just wants to save money.

Update: The new owners want to meet with all employees next week to discuss our 'future with the company.' Should I wait until after that meeting to start gathering documentation?

just wanted to say good luck!! going through job uncertainty is the worst. at least unemployment benefits exist as a safety net

One more thing - if you do end up filing for unemployment, you'll still need to do your weekly claims and job search requirements even if you're hoping the new company will hire you back or offer you something better.

My sister went through this and the new company offered her a job but cut her pay by 30%. She quit and got unemployment approved. Washington ESD said the pay cut was substantial enough to qualify as good cause.

Actually that reminds me - when I was dealing with my business sale situation, I tried calling Washington ESD for weeks and kept getting hung up on. Finally used claimyr to get through. It's this service that handles the calling for you and connects you when they get an agent. Saved me so much frustration.

Final advice - don't make any hasty decisions. If the new owners offer you a position, you have the right to consider it. If it's not comparable to your current job, you can decline and likely qualify for unemployment. Just make sure you can document why the offer wasn't reasonable.

Keep us posted on how the meeting goes! Situations like this happen more often than people realize.

I went through something similar when my company was acquired two years ago. The waiting period is definitely the hardest part - not knowing if you'll have a job or what the terms will be. In my case, the new owners actually improved our benefits package, but I know that's not always how it goes. One thing I learned is that Washington ESD considers each situation individually, so having good documentation of your current job terms really matters if you do need to file a claim. The fact that you've been there 3 years and never collected UI before should work in your favor. Try to stay calm during next week's meeting and ask specific questions about salary, hours, and responsibilities if they do make you an offer.