Can LMTs include unpaid time between clients for ESD's 680 base year hours requirement?
I recently got laid off from my massage therapy job and I'm trying to file for unemployment. Here's my issue: when I add up just the billable hours on my paychecks, I'm coming up short of the 680 hours needed in my base year. But at my clinic, we had to be there 30 minutes between each client (for room cleanup, notes, etc.) and this time wasn't paid or shown on our paychecks. If I could count those unpaid 30-minute blocks, I'd definitely qualify. Has any other massage therapist (or similar profession) successfully included this kind of unbilled/unpaid time in their ESD hours total? The online application doesn't really explain what counts as 'hours worked.' I don't want to submit incorrect information, but these were mandatory hours I had to be at work!
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Sophia Miller
According to WA unemployment laws, hours worked generally includes all time you're required to be on the employer's premises or on duty. This typically includes prep time, cleanup time, and waiting time if you're required to be at work - even if you weren't directly paid for those hours. When you file, you should include ALL hours you were required to be at work, not just client-facing billable hours. Keep documentation showing your actual schedules if possible, as ESD might request verification if your employer disputes it. If you need to speak directly with ESD about this specific situation, calling early in the morning is your best bet.
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Elijah Jackson
•Thank you! That clarifies a lot. Do you know if I should mention this discrepancy somewhere on the application? There's no specific field asking about unpaid work hours versus paid hours that I could find.
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Mason Davis
I went through something similar last year with my cosmetology job. I had unpaid time between clients that was mandatory for setup/breakdown. When I filed my claim, I included ALL hours I was required to be at the salon, paid or not. ESD initially questioned it when my employer reported fewer hours, but I submitted my appointment book showing all the times I was required to be there and explained the situation. ESD sided with me because the time was required by my employer. The key is documenting as much as possible about your schedule and the workplace policy requiring you to be there between clients. Good luck!
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Elijah Jackson
•This is so helpful to hear! I'll dig up my old schedules and appointment books to show the full hours. Did you have to go through an interview or appeal process to get them to count those hours?
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Mia Rodriguez
my sister is an LMT and had the same problem. she definitely counted all the time between clients and she got approved! just make sure u can prove u were required to stay there
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Elijah Jackson
•Thank you! That's encouraging to hear about another LMT with a similar situation. I'll gather whatever proof I can find in my emails or employee handbook.
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Jacob Lewis
I tried calling ESD THREE TIMES this week to ask about a similar situation (I'm a hair stylist with unpaid time between clients) and couldn't get through to ANYONE!!! So frustrating!!! Their phone system is the absolute WORST - I kept getting disconnected after waiting for over an hour each time. How is anyone supposed to get answers about these complicated situations?!?!?
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Amelia Martinez
•Have you tried Claimyr? I was getting nowhere with ESD phone lines for weeks until someone recommended it to me. It's a service that holds your place in line and calls you when an ESD agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that explains how it works. For situations like yours where you need specific clarification on qualifying hours, speaking directly with an agent is definitely worth it.
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Ethan Clark
Just wanted to add that when I filed my UI claim awhile back I always reported the actual hours I physically worked not just what my paycheck said. Like others mentioned the law says hours worked includes required on-site time. But be prepared for your employer to possibly dispute it since their records probably only show paid hours, not all hours you were there.
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Mila Walker
•Yes but sometimes employers will lie about your hours to avoid UI claims affecting their rates! happened to me and I had to fight it
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Elijah Jackson
Update: I spoke with an ESD agent yesterday who confirmed I should include ALL hours I was required to be at the workplace, including the unpaid time between clients. I've submitted my application with the corrected hours (adding all those 30-min breaks) and it puts me well above the 680 hour threshold! The agent said they might contact my former employer to verify, but as long as I can prove it was mandatory time (I found our employee handbook that states we must remain on premises between appointments), I should be good. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Mason Davis
•That's great news! Smart move finding that employee handbook - that's exactly the kind of documentation that helps. Keep us posted on how it goes with your claim.
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Sophia Miller
One more thing to keep in mind - if your employer disputes the hours, don't panic. ESD will schedule a fact-finding interview where both sides can present their evidence. Just make sure to attend the interview and clearly explain the workplace policy. Having that employee handbook is perfect evidence. Also, if you have any emails or text messages about staying on premises between clients, save those too. Documentation is your best friend in these situations.
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Elijah Jackson
•Thank you for the heads up. I'll prepare all my documentation now just in case there's a dispute. Really appreciate all the guidance here!
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