Can I file for unemployment if I resigned from my job in Washington?

You can potentially qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington even after resigning, but it depends on your specific circumstances. Washington ESD will evaluate whether you had 'good cause' for leaving. Hostile work environment could qualify if you can document it properly. You'll need to show that a reasonable person would have quit under those conditions.

I went through something similar last year. Washington ESD approved my claim after I quit due to unsafe working conditions. The key is being able to prove you made reasonable efforts to resolve the situation before quitting. Did you try talking to HR or your supervisor's manager first?

Just file the claim anyway. I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my own situation and it's nearly impossible to get through on the phone. If you're having trouble reaching them, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually gets you connected to ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Washington ESD considers several factors for 'good cause' resignations: harassment, discrimination, unsafe conditions, significant changes to job duties or pay, domestic violence situations, and health issues. Hostile work environment definitely falls under harassment if you can prove it was severe enough that any reasonable person would quit.

ugh the whole system is so frustrating... i quit my job 2 months ago because of similar issues and still havent heard back from ESD about my claim. they said it would take 2-3 weeks but its been way longer

File the claim and let Washington ESD make the determination. Even if they initially deny it, you can appeal the decision. I know someone who won their appeal after quitting due to a toxic boss. The appeals process gives you a chance to present your case more thoroughly.

Make sure you document EVERYTHING moving forward. Keep a detailed log of all interactions with ESD, save every email, and take screenshots of your online account status. The more documentation you have, the better your chances if you need to appeal.

Just wanted to add - when you file your claim, be very specific about why you quit. Don't just say 'hostile work environment' - give specific examples of what happened, when it happened, and what steps you took to address it. The more detail you provide upfront, the smoother the process will be.

I work in HR and see these situations often. Document any witnesses to the hostile behavior, save copies of company policies your supervisor violated, and if you have any medical documentation (therapy, stress-related doctor visits) that resulted from the work situation, include that too. Washington ESD takes mental health impacts seriously.

Don't wait too long to file! You have to file within a certain timeframe after becoming unemployed or you could lose benefits for those weeks. Even if you're not sure you'll qualify, it's better to file and let them decide than to miss the window entirely.

One more thing - if Washington ESD approves your claim, you'll still need to meet all the regular requirements like job searching and filing weekly claims. Don't assume the hard part is over once you get approved. The ongoing requirements are just as important.