Can I resign and get unemployment benefits in Washington?

Generally, 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 exceptions for 'good cause' resignations like unsafe working conditions or harassment.

You need to be really careful here. I quit my last job thinking I had good cause and Washington ESD denied my claim. Make sure you have everything documented before you resign.

Before you quit, try talking to HR or filing a complaint with your company. Washington ESD looks favorably on people who tried to resolve the situation first. If that doesn't work and you do resign, you'll need to prove you had no reasonable alternative.

I was in a similar situation last year and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to discuss my options. If you need to talk to someone there about whether your situation qualifies, I found Claimyr really helpful for actually reaching an agent. They have a service at claimyr.com that helps you get through the phone system. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Whatever you do, don't just walk out. That will definitely disqualify you. If you're going to resign, do it in writing and clearly state your reasons. Keep a copy of everything.

honestly the unemployment system is so messed up, even if you have good reason they'll probably deny you anyway and make you jump through hoops

Another option to consider is seeing if you can get laid off instead of quitting. Sometimes if you discuss the situation with your employer, they might be willing to let you go rather than deal with potential legal issues.

Also consider filing a complaint with L&I about the working conditions while you're still employed. Having an official complaint on record will strengthen your case if you do resign.

Make sure you understand the waiting period too. Even if your resignation is approved for good cause, there might still be a delay before benefits start.

I quit my job for good cause last year and it took forever to get approved. Had to provide witness statements, emails, everything. But it was worth it in the end.

If you do decide to file for unemployment after resigning, definitely use something like Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD quickly. The sooner you can speak with an agent about your specific situation, the better they can guide you through the process.

Whatever you decide, don't wait too long to file your claim if you do resign. There are time limits and you want to get the process started as soon as possible.

Just want to add - keep records of everything even after you file your claim. Washington ESD might ask for additional documentation weeks later.

Have you considered consulting with an employment attorney? If the situation is as bad as you describe, you might have other legal options beyond just unemployment benefits.

been there, toxic managers make life hell. document everything and don't let them push you to quit without a fight

Remember that even if you resign for good cause, you'll still need to meet all other unemployment requirements - actively searching for work, reporting your job search activities, etc.

If you do resign, make sure your resignation letter is very clear about it being for good cause. Don't make it sound like you just didn't like the job.

Also consider that if Washington ESD approves your claim for resignation with good cause, your former employer might contest it. Be prepared for that possibility.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Just make sure you explore all your options before making any final decisions. Sometimes situations can be resolved without having to quit.

One more thing - if you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD about your claim, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it when I had questions about my own good cause resignation and actually got through to talk to someone.

I went through something similar last year with a hostile manager situation. The key thing Washington ESD looks for is whether you made reasonable efforts to resolve the issue before resigning. Start documenting everything now - dates, times, what was said or done, any witnesses. Also, try to address it with your manager or whoever is above them first, and document that conversation too. If you do end up resigning, make sure your resignation letter clearly states it's due to the hostile work environment and references specific incidents. The good cause standard is pretty strict, but with proper documentation showing you had no reasonable alternative, it's definitely possible to get approved. Don't give up hope - your mental health and safety matter.