Can I quit my job and still get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Generally no, if you quit voluntarily you won't qualify for unemployment benefits. Washington ESD requires you to be unemployed through no fault of your own. However, there are some exceptions for 'good cause' like constructive dismissal or significant changes to your work conditions.

Generally you can't get unemployment if you quit voluntarily, BUT there are exceptions in Washington. If you quit for 'good cause' you might still qualify. Things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job duties can count as good cause. You'll need to document everything though.

I was in a similar situation last year. Washington ESD denied my initial claim when I quit but I appealed and won because I could prove my employer substantially changed my working conditions. The key is having documentation.

Before you quit, try reaching out to Washington ESD directly to discuss your situation. I used claimyr.com to actually get through to an agent when I couldn't get past the busy signals. They helped me understand if my situation would qualify before I made any decisions. There's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

I quit my job last year and got approved for benefits. The key is proving you had 'good cause attributable to the employer.' Washington ESD will investigate and contact your employer to verify your claims.

Before you quit, try to get your employer to reduce your hours in writing or document the hostile work environment. If they're cutting your hours dramatically, you might qualify for partial unemployment while still working. That could be better than quitting outright.

Don't quit yet! You might have a case for constructive dismissal if your hours were reduced that dramatically. Washington ESD considers it 'good cause' to quit when your employer substantially changes your job conditions. Document everything - schedules, any communications about the hour cuts, your attempts to discuss it with management.

Have you tried calling Washington ESD to ask about your specific situation? I know their phone lines are always busy, but I recently used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth getting official advice before you make any big decisions.

UGH I hate employers who do this! They cut your hours hoping you'll quit so they don't have to pay unemployment. It's such a scummy tactic. Document EVERYTHING and make them fire you if possible.

Actually, let me clarify the 'good cause' requirements since this is important. Under Washington law, good cause includes things like: domestic violence, harassment, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, or substantial changes to your job that weren't in your original agreement. Hour reduction MIGHT qualify if it's significant enough.

The Washington ESD adjudication process for voluntary quits can take weeks or months. Even if you have good cause, be prepared for your claim to be initially denied and have to go through an appeal. Start saving documentation now.

I was in a similar situation and ended up getting constructive dismissal. Basically when they make your job so unbearable or change it so much that a reasonable person would have to quit. It's treated the same as being fired for unemployment purposes.

honestly the system is so broken, i quit my job last year for similar reasons and they denied me even though my boss was basically harassing me. had to get a lawyer involved

Another option to consider - if your hours are cut that severely, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits while still working the reduced hours instead of quitting entirely.

Another option is to look for a new job while you're still working and then quit once you have something lined up. That way you avoid the unemployment question entirely, but I know that's not always possible with toxic workplaces.

One more thing - if you do quit, make sure to file your unemployment claim as soon as possible. Don't wait. Even if you're not sure you'll qualify, it's better to file and let Washington ESD make the determination.

Whatever you decide, don't just walk out. Give proper notice and try to leave on good terms if possible. Washington ESD will contact your employer as part of the claim process.

Update on the Claimyr thing - I actually used it again this week to check on another issue and got through to Washington ESD in about 15 minutes. Way better than the 3+ hours I was spending calling normally. Definitely worth trying if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

I think you need to be really careful here. Washington ESD is pretty strict about voluntary quits. Even with good cause, they'll scrutinize everything. Make sure you have a solid paper trail before making any moves.

Just want to echo what others said about calling ESD for advice. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it was actually legit. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.

my friend quit her job last month for good cause and still waiting to hear back from adjudication. its been 5 weeks now with no updates

Whatever you decide, don't let them push you around! Employers try to get away with so much because they think workers don't know their rights. Stand up for yourself but be smart about it.

Have you looked into whether your situation might qualify as a layoff instead of a quit? If they're cutting everyone's hours due to business reasons, it might not be considered voluntary.

Don't forget you'll need to meet the job search requirements too if you do get approved for unemployment. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to log them.

Whatever happens, start applying for other jobs now. Even if you get unemployment, the sooner you find new work the better. The job market is pretty competitive right now.

Just want to second the Claimyr recommendation. I was skeptical at first but it really does work for getting through to Washington ESD when you need to talk to an actual person. Much better than the endless busy signals.

One more thing - if you do decide to quit, make sure you understand exactly what your employer will report to Washington ESD. Sometimes there are discrepancies that can hurt your case.

This is such a tough situation. The system really doesn't account for these gray area cases where you're being pushed out but not technically fired. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Smart approach! Keep us updated on how it goes. Your situation is probably more common than people think with all the hour cuts happening in retail right now.

For what it's worth, I successfully got unemployment after quitting for good cause but it took documenting everything for months beforehand. The key is showing you tried every reasonable option before quitting.

Also consider checking if your state has any additional worker protection laws that might apply to your situation. Sometimes there are other avenues for recourse beyond just unemployment benefits.

Update us on what you decide to do! This kind of situation is way too common and your experience might help other people in similar spots.

This thread has been really helpful. I'm dealing with a similar situation where my employer is making my life miserable hoping I'll quit. Good to know there might be options.

Final thought - keep in mind that even if you qualify for unemployment after quitting, you'll still need to meet all the regular requirements like job searching and being available for work. The weekly claims process is the same regardless of why you became unemployed.

Also remember that if you quit and don't qualify for benefits, there's usually no appeal for voluntary quit situations unless you can prove good cause. So make sure your documentation is solid before you make the leap.

Good luck with whatever you decide! Toxic work environments are the worst and nobody should have to put up with that kind of treatment.

One last resource - WorkSource WA might also be able to help with job search assistance if you do end up leaving. They have counselors who can help with resume, interview skills, and connecting you with employers.

This has been one of the most helpful threads I've seen on here. Really shows how complex the unemployment system can be and why it's worth getting proper advice before making big decisions.

Hope everything works out for you OP. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just remembered - if you do end up calling ESD and they tell you that you might qualify, make sure to get the agent's name and reference number for your call. That documentation could be helpful if there are any issues with your claim later.

I'm in a similar boat with my retail job cutting my hours from 35 to about 12 per week over the last month. Reading through all this advice, it sounds like partial unemployment might be the way to go while documenting everything. Has anyone here actually applied for partial benefits in Washington? I'm curious about how the process works and if it's worth the hassle.