Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if fired for performance issues?

Yes, you can typically get unemployment if fired for performance issues in Washington. The key distinction is between misconduct and poor performance. If you were trying to do your job but just couldn't meet standards, that's usually not disqualifying misconduct under Washington ESD rules.

File your claim ASAP through the Washington ESD website. Even if there's a question about eligibility, it's better to get the process started. The worst they can do is deny it, but you might be surprised.

I tried calling Washington ESD multiple times when I had questions about my eligibility after being fired, but could never get through. Super frustrating when you need answers quickly. Eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Might be worth checking out if you run into the same phone issues I did.

PERFORMANCE ISSUES ARE NOT MISCONDUCT!!! I'm so tired of people thinking they can't get unemployment just because they got fired. Unless you were stealing, being insubordinate, or violating company policy willfully, you're probably eligible.

The Washington ESD will investigate your termination as part of the adjudication process. They'll look at whether you were fired for 'misconduct connected with work.' Poor performance typically doesn't rise to that level unless there's evidence you weren't trying or were deliberately underperforming.

I was in your exact situation last year - fired for not meeting performance metrics at a tech company. Filed for unemployment anyway and got approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is being able to show you were making good faith efforts to improve.

honestly i got fired for performance at my last job too and was scared to file but my friend convinced me to try. got approved no problem. worst case they say no and you're in the same position you're in now

One thing to keep in mind - even if you get approved, your former employer might contest the claim. This could delay your benefits while Washington ESD sorts it out. But don't let that discourage you from filing.

Just to follow up on my earlier comment about Claimyr - I used them again last month when I had questions about my weekly claim requirements. So much easier than trying to call Washington ESD directly. The agents they connect you with are the actual state employees, not some third party.

For anyone reading this thread later: the distinction between misconduct and poor performance is crucial. Misconduct involves willful violation of rules or standards. Poor performance is usually inability to meet job requirements despite good faith efforts. Washington ESD has specific criteria they use to evaluate these cases.

I'm going through something similar right now. Filed my claim two weeks ago and it's been in adjudication ever since. The waiting is the worst part - not knowing if I'll get benefits or not.

Quick tip: when you file your claim, be prepared to explain specifically what performance issues led to your termination. Don't just say 'performance problems' - give concrete examples of what you struggled with and what you did to try to improve.

Also want to add - don't let your former employer intimidate you into not filing. Some employers will tell terminated employees they 'won't be eligible for unemployment' to discourage them from filing. That's not their call to make - it's up to Washington ESD to determine eligibility.

Been through this exact scenario. Filed online, had to wait for adjudication, but eventually got approved. The key was being honest about the situation and showing I was actively trying to improve my performance before being terminated.

make sure you file your weekly claims even while waiting for adjudication!!! i made the mistake of not doing this and it delayed my benefits even more when i finally got approved

One final note: if you do get denied initially, don't give up. You have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals process gives you a chance to present your case more thoroughly and explain why you believe you should be eligible for benefits.

Just wanted to say good luck with your claim! Being fired is stressful enough without worrying about whether you'll be able to get unemployment benefits. Sounds like you have a good chance based on what you've described.

Performance-based terminations are actually pretty common for unemployment claims. Washington ESD sees these cases all the time. As long as you weren't fired for gross misconduct or breaking rules, you'll likely be fine.

I used to work in HR and can confirm that performance-based terminations typically don't disqualify you from unemployment benefits. The employer would need to prove you were fired for misconduct, which is a much higher bar than just poor performance.

Update us on how it goes! Would be interesting to hear how your case turns out for future reference.

I was in a very similar situation about 6 months ago - terminated for performance issues after struggling to meet productivity targets at a customer service job. I was really worried about filing for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified me. But after reading through Washington state's guidelines, I learned that there's a big difference between being fired for misconduct versus just not being able to meet job requirements. I filed my claim and was approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The investigator asked me to explain what happened and I was honest about struggling with the role but emphasized that I was always trying my best and following all company policies. My advice would be to file ASAP and don't let the fear of potential denial stop you - you might be pleasantly surprised like I was!

I went through something very similar last year when I was let go from a retail management position for not meeting sales targets. Like you, I was really nervous about filing because I thought being fired meant automatic disqualification. But Washington ESD actually approved my claim after about 2 weeks of review. The key thing they look for is whether you were fired for "misconduct connected with work" - which has a very specific legal definition. Simply not being able to perform at the level your employer wanted doesn't usually qualify as misconduct. When I spoke with the adjudicator, I explained that I was always punctual, followed all company procedures, and genuinely tried to improve my performance through additional training and asking for feedback. That seemed to be enough to show I wasn't willfully violating any workplace standards. My suggestion is to file right away and gather any documentation you have that shows you were making good faith efforts to succeed in the role. Good luck!