Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if I get fired for not showing up to work?

Unfortunately, if you're fired for misconduct like not showing up without notice, Washington ESD will likely deny your claim. They consider job abandonment as misconduct connected to work, which disqualifies you from receiving UI benefits. You'd have the right to appeal their decision, but you'd need to prove there were circumstances beyond your control.

Been through this exact situation two years ago. Washington ESD denied my initial claim because I was fired for attendance issues. However, I appealed and provided medical documentation showing I was dealing with depression that affected my ability to get to work. Took about 6 weeks but they eventually approved my benefits.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to discuss your situation, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth it if you need to speak with someone about your specific circumstances before filing.

The key thing is WHY you missed work. If it was just because you didn't feel like going, that's misconduct. If you had medical issues, family emergencies, transportation problems, etc. and can document it, you might have a case. Washington ESD looks at whether your actions were willful or due to circumstances beyond your control.

honestly this whole system is screwed up. i got fired for being 10 minutes late a few times and they denied my claim too. meanwhile people who quit their jobs for no reason sometimes get approved. makes no sense

Don't give up before you even try! File the claim anyway and see what happens. Even if they deny it initially, you can always appeal. I've seen people win appeals for all kinds of reasons Washington ESD initially thought were misconduct.

Whatever you do, start looking for work immediately and keep a job search log. Even if your claim gets denied, you want to show Washington ESD that you're actively seeking employment. It can help if you end up in an appeal hearing.

I work in HR and can tell you that how your employer reports the termination matters a lot. If they say you abandoned your job vs. if they say it was attendance issues, Washington ESD might view those differently. Also, if you have any union representation, definitely talk to them about your situation.

Had a friend who got fired for no-call no-shows and still got unemployment because she proved she was in an abusive relationship and was afraid to leave the house some days. Mental health and domestic violence situations are viewed differently by Washington ESD, so don't assume you'll automatically be denied.

File immediately after you're terminated, don't wait. Even if you think you'll be denied, get the process started. The waiting week starts from when you file, not when you're approved. And if you do get approved later through an appeal, you'll get paid for those earlier weeks.

Question - if someone gets fired for attendance but the employer was really flexible and understanding about it, does that help the case at all? Like if they gave multiple warnings and chances?

Just want to mention that Claimyr service again - if you do decide to file and need to talk to Washington ESD about your specific situation, it's been a lifesaver for actually getting through to someone. I used it when I was dealing with an adjudication issue and got connected within minutes instead of calling all day.

The bottom line is Washington ESD looks at each case individually. No-call no-shows are generally considered misconduct, but there are always exceptions based on the specific circumstances. Document everything you can about why you missed work and file your claim. Worst case scenario, you get denied and you're in the same position you're in now.

I went through something similar last year - got terminated for excessive absences due to anxiety issues I was dealing with. Washington ESD initially denied my claim, but I gathered documentation from my therapist and medical records showing I was seeking treatment. The appeal hearing was nerve-wracking but the judge was actually pretty understanding once I explained the full situation. It took about 8 weeks total but I did end up getting approved for benefits retroactively. The key is being completely honest about your circumstances and having any documentation that supports your case. Even if it feels hopeless, definitely file that claim - you might be surprised by the outcome.