Can at will employees collect unemployment benefits in Washington state?

At-will employment status doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits. What matters is WHY you were terminated. If you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, that's when you might be denied. But if you were laid off or fired for reasons not related to misconduct, you should be eligible regardless of at-will status.

I was at-will too and got my benefits approved no problem. The key is being honest about why you were let go when you file your claim.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I recently found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a real person at the unemployment office. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.

The at-will thing is just about how employment contracts work, it has nothing to do with unemployment eligibility. Washington state follows the same federal guidelines - you're eligible unless you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! i got fired from my at will job too and they're making me wait for adjudication for like 3 weeks now. nobody explains anything clearly

I'm in HR and I see this confusion a lot. At-will employment just means either party can end the employment relationship at any time. It doesn't affect unemployment eligibility - that's determined by the reason for separation and whether you meet the work history requirements.

File your claim ASAP regardless of the at-will status. The longer you wait, the longer it takes to get benefits if you're approved. I made that mistake and lost two weeks of potential payments.

The Washington ESD website has a good section explaining misconduct vs. non-misconduct terminations. Most at-will terminations fall into the non-misconduct category unless there was willful or wanton disregard of employer interests.

Been through this twice with at-will jobs. First time was approved immediately, second time took forever because they had to investigate whether I was really laid off or fired for cause. The at-will part never came up in either case.

Don't let anyone tell you that at-will employees can't get unemployment - that's completely wrong. I've helped several people file claims after at-will terminations and most were approved.

if you need help talking to someone at washington esd about your claim, there's this thing called claimyr that actually gets you through to a real person. i used it when my claim was stuck and it worked great. they have a demo video that shows how it works

The whole at-will vs unemployment thing is a common misconception. At-will just affects how you can be terminated, not whether you qualify for benefits afterward. Focus on the actual reason you were let go when you file your claim.

I work for an employment attorney and we see this question constantly. At-will status has zero bearing on unemployment eligibility. What matters is: 1) Did you work enough to qualify, 2) Were you separated through no fault of your own, 3) Are you able and available for work.

just went through this whole process myself. at-will employment doesn't matter for unemployment. got approved even though my boss specifically mentioned the at-will clause when firing me. they still had to give washington esd a valid reason for the termination

Pro tip: when you file your weekly claims, don't mention the at-will status at all. It's irrelevant to your ongoing eligibility. Focus on job search activities and availability for work.

I tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked! Got through to Washington ESD in about 10 minutes instead of calling all day. Definitely worth it if your claim gets complicated.

Bottom line: file your claim regardless of at-will status. Worst case they deny you and you appeal. Best case you get approved and start receiving benefits. The at-will employment type is not a factor in the eligibility determination.