Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if I quit my job voluntarily?

You can potentially qualify for unemployment benefits even if you quit, but it has to be for what Washington ESD considers 'good cause.' Things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job duties might qualify. You'll need to document everything and be prepared to explain your situation during the adjudication process.

I quit my job last year due to hostile work environment and initially got denied for UI benefits. Had to go through the whole appeal process but eventually won. The key is proving you had no reasonable alternative but to quit.

Generally you can't get UI benefits if you quit voluntarily, but Washington has some exceptions for 'good cause.' Toxic workplace situations might qualify if you can document harassment or unsafe conditions. You'd need to prove you had no reasonable alternative but to quit.

Before you quit, you should really try calling Washington ESD to get through and speak with someone about your specific situation. I know their phone lines are always busy, but there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through when I couldn't reach them myself. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth getting official guidance before you make the decision to quit.

The Washington ESD website says you can quit for 'good cause' but they're pretty strict about what counts. Medical reasons, domestic violence, harassment, or major changes to your job terms are usually accepted. But you have to prove it wasn't just because you didn't like the job.

Whatever you do, DON'T just walk out without trying to resolve things first. Washington ESD will ask if you attempted to fix the problems before quitting. At least document that you tried talking to your supervisor or HR.

I quit my job 3 months ago thinking I'd easily find something new and now I'm struggling financially. Wish I'd known about the good cause requirements before I left. Make sure you understand what you're getting into!

Just to clarify the 'good cause' standard - it has to be something that would cause a reasonable person in your situation to quit. Personal preferences or minor workplace conflicts usually don't qualify. But genuine safety concerns, illegal activities by the employer, or significant changes to your job duties might.

I quit my last job because of a similar situation and Washington ESD initially denied my claim. Had to appeal and it took forever to get through to anyone to explain my case.

The whole system is rigged against workers anyway. They make it nearly impossible to get benefits even when you have legitimate reasons for leaving. Good luck fighting the bureaucracy.

Before you do anything drastic, consider if there are other jobs you could transfer to within the company. Sometimes that's easier than quitting and dealing with the uncertainty of unemployment benefits.

The key term you need to know is 'voluntary quit with good cause.' Washington ESD recognizes several situations including workplace harassment, significant changes to job conditions, or health/safety concerns. But the burden of proof is on you to show you tried other solutions first.

honestly the system is rigged against workers anyway. they make it nearly impossible to get benefits even when you deserve them. i'd say just stick it out until you find another job rather than deal with washington esd bureaucracy

If you do decide to quit and apply for benefits, be prepared for the application process to take a while. Washington ESD will investigate your claim thoroughly, especially for voluntary quit situations. Having all your documentation ready will speed things up.

Make sure you apply for benefits immediately after you quit if you decide to go that route. There's no waiting period for applying, and you want to get your claim in the system as soon as possible even if they need to investigate.

Before you make any decisions, I'd recommend calling Washington ESD directly to discuss your specific situation. They can give you better guidance on whether your circumstances might qualify for good cause separation.

You might also want to check if your state has any whistleblower protections or if this qualifies as constructive dismissal. Sometimes the legal framework around these situations is more complex than just the unemployment eligibility.

Just wanted to add - when I went through this, I wished I had started documenting things earlier. Start keeping a log of incidents with dates and details now, even if you're not sure you'll need it.

One more thing to consider - if you do qualify for benefits after quitting, there might be a longer waiting period compared to if you were laid off. Washington ESD will also require you to be actively seeking work and available for suitable employment.

I'm in a similar boat with a terrible boss. Following this thread to see what options there are.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and finally got through to Washington ESD after trying for weeks on my own. They were actually pretty helpful in explaining my options. Definitely worth the money when you can't get through otherwise.

Document everything - emails, text messages, witness statements, dates and times of incidents. The more evidence you have of the problems that forced you to quit, the better your chances during adjudication.

Also consider that if you quit voluntarily, your former employer might contest your unemployment claim. They have the right to provide their side of the story to Washington ESD during the investigation.

Don't forget about the job search requirements if you do get approved for benefits. You'll still need to be actively looking for work and document your job search activities.

Final advice: don't make any hasty decisions. Talk to Washington ESD first, document everything you can, and maybe consult with an employment attorney for a free consultation if the situation is severe enough. You want to make sure you're in the strongest position possible if you do need to file for benefits.

update us on how it goes! i'm sure others are in similar situations and could benefit from hearing about your experience

If your claim gets denied initially, don't give up! The appeal process exists for a reason and many people win on appeal even if they lose the first determination.

Consider consulting with an employment attorney before you quit, especially if you think you might have legal claims against your employer for harassment or unsafe conditions.

Remember that Washington ESD looks at the final incident that made you quit, not just the overall pattern. So make sure you can clearly explain what specific event pushed you over the edge.

Whatever you decide, make sure you understand that quitting makes getting unemployment much harder than being laid off. Have a backup plan in case your claim gets denied.

I went through this same situation 2 years ago. The key is being able to show you tried everything possible to resolve the issues before quitting. Washington ESD wants to see you made reasonable efforts to stay employed.

One more thing - if you do quit and apply for benefits, be completely honest in your application and interviews. Washington ESD can verify information with your employer, and lying will disqualify you permanently.

Just remember that your mental health is important too. Don't sacrifice your wellbeing for a job that doesn't value you.

One practical tip - if you do end up filing a claim after quitting, be very thorough in your application. Washington ESD will ask detailed questions about why you left and what steps you took to resolve the issues. The more complete your initial application, the smoother the process tends to go.

been following this thread and just want to say good luck OP. toxic workplaces are the worst and no one should have to endure that