Can my employer block my unemployment benefits in Washington's at-will state after being let go?

Washington being an at-will state only means they can terminate your employment without cause (with some exceptions like discrimination). However, this doesn't automatically disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits. For UI eligibility, ESD looks at whether you were terminated for misconduct, not just any reason the employer gives. If there were no documented performance issues or warnings, and you weren't fired for something like theft or violating company policy, you should still qualify. When your employer contests your claim, ESD will investigate by requesting information from both you and your employer. This puts your claim into adjudication status. They'll look for documentation supporting the employer's claim that you weren't meeting expectations. Without prior warnings or performance improvement plans, your employer may have difficulty proving misconduct.

the EXACT same thing happened to me in february!!! my boss said i wasnt a 'culture fit' after 2 years then fought my benefits saying i was on my phone too much (totally made up!!). ESD still approved my claim after 5 weeks of waiting. they asked for my side of the story and since the company had ZERO documentation they couldnt prove anything. keep filing every week while you wait!!!

Many employers automatically contest UI claims as standard practice, hoping the employee won't fight back. This puts your claim in adjudication, which unfortunately can take 3-8 weeks to resolve. Here's what you should do: 1. Respond promptly to all ESD requests for information 2. Continue filing weekly claims without fail 3. Document the fact that you never received any written warnings 4. Note that verbal 'going in a different direction' doesn't constitute misconduct The good news is that if you win (which sounds likely), you'll receive back payments for all weeks you properly claimed during the adjudication period.

not to throw water on things but adjudication is taking FOREVER right now... ive been waiting almost 7 weeks on my case and still nothing decided... this is just ridiculous tbh

I went through this exact situation last year. My company let me go saying they were 'restructuring' then contested my UI claiming I was underperforming. I tried calling ESD for WEEKS to explain my side but could never get through - their phone system is absolutely broken. I finally gave up and used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an ESD agent the same day. They have this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 It was worth it because the agent documented my side of the story right then, and my claim was approved two weeks later. Without actually talking to someone, I think my claim would have been stuck in limbo forever.

Yes, it worked exactly as advertised. Instead of spending hours redialing, I got through to an actual ESD agent who could see my claim details and document my side of the story. When employers contest claims without documentation, speaking directly with ESD can speed things up dramatically.

Washington law says your employer needs to prove MISCONDUCT to deny benefits. Just saying you weren't meeting expectations after firing you without warnings isn't enough!!! I'd gather any positive performance reviews, emails, etc that show you were doing your job okay. If they never gave you warnings they're probably just trying to avoid their UI tax rate going up. KEEP FILING WEEKLY CLAIMS and make sure you're doing your 3 job search activities every week too!!

To answer your earlier question - don't proactively send documentation to ESD yet. When your claim goes to adjudication, you'll receive a questionnaire or phone interview request. That's when you should present your evidence and explain that you received no warnings or performance improvement plan prior to termination. The fact pattern you've described (sudden termination with no documented history of problems, followed by employer claiming performance issues after the fact) is very common, and ESD adjudicators are familiar with it. As long as you respond promptly to their requests and clearly explain the situation, you have a good chance of approval.

btw while ur waiting make sure ur applying for food benefits and rental assistance if u need it!! washington has emergency funds for people waiting on unemployment. google 'washington erap' for rent help and dshs for food. dont wait till ur broke!!!

I'm going through something very similar right now! My employer let me go after 2 years saying it was "budget cuts" but then contested my UI claim saying I had "attitude problems" - which was never mentioned during my employment. It's been 4 weeks in adjudication and still waiting. From what I've learned, Washington employers often contest claims automatically because it doesn't cost them anything to try, and some people just give up. The key thing is that they have to prove misconduct with actual documentation, not just make up reasons after the fact. Since you have no write-ups or warnings, you're in a good position. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of everything - dates, who I talked to, what was said. Also screenshot your claim status regularly. The waiting is terrible but don't let them intimidate you into giving up. You earned those benefits!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - was terminated from my office job 3 weeks ago with no prior warnings, and my employer is now claiming I had "performance issues" to contest my UI claim. It's so frustrating because they never documented anything or gave me a chance to improve! From what I've researched, Washington employers have to prove you were fired for misconduct, not just poor performance. The burden of proof is on them to show you willfully violated company policy or were grossly negligent. Being let go because they're "going in a different direction" doesn't meet that standard. I've been documenting everything too - screenshotting my claim status, keeping records of all communications. One thing that's helped me stay sane during this process is remembering that these benefits exist exactly for situations like ours. You paid into the system, you were let go through no fault of your own, and you deserve these benefits. Stay strong and keep filing those weekly claims! We've got this.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! Got let go from my accounting job after 4 years with zero documentation, then they contested saying I had "poor work quality" - complete news to me since I'd never received any feedback about that. The adjudication took about 6 weeks, but I was approved in the end. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I had positive performance reviews to show ESD, 2) No documented warnings or disciplinary actions in my file, 3) I responded quickly to all their requests for information. ESD will likely send you a questionnaire asking about your job duties, any warnings you received, and the circumstances of your termination. Be honest and detailed in your responses. Also, if you have any positive emails from supervisors, performance reviews, or evidence showing you were doing your job properly, gather all of that now. The waiting is brutal but don't give up! Employers contest claims all the time hoping people will just walk away. You paid into this system and deserve these benefits. Keep filing your weekly claims and stay on top of your job search requirements. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly stressful when you're already worried about finances! I went through something almost identical last year. My employer let me go citing "restructuring" then turned around and claimed I had attendance issues (which was completely fabricated - I had excellent attendance). The good news is that Washington's unemployment system is generally fair when employers can't back up their claims with documentation. Since you had 3 years with no write-ups or warnings, and they're now claiming performance issues they never mentioned, you're in a strong position. A few things that helped me during my adjudication: - I gathered every positive email, review, or feedback I could find - When ESD sent the questionnaire, I was very detailed about the lack of any prior performance discussions - I emphasized the timeline - how convenient that "performance issues" only became a problem after they decided to let me go My case took about 5 weeks to resolve, but I was approved and got back pay for the entire waiting period. The adjudicator told me that employers contesting claims without documentation is extremely common, and ESD sees right through it. Hang in there and keep filing those weekly claims religiously. You've got this!

I'm currently going through this exact situation too! Was let go from my retail management position 2 weeks ago with them saying "we're going a different direction with leadership" and now they're claiming I had "communication issues" to contest my UI claim. Never once was this mentioned in my 2+ years there. What's really helped me so far is understanding that Washington's unemployment law is pretty clear - they have to prove WILLFUL misconduct or policy violations, not just vague "performance" claims. Being let go because they want to go a different direction is literally the textbook definition of what unemployment benefits are for! I've been gathering everything I can - my performance reviews (which were all good), any positive feedback emails, even text messages from coworkers thanking me for help. The more documentation you have showing you were doing your job properly, the better. Also, don't let them intimidate you! I learned that many employers automatically contest claims as a cost-saving measure, hoping people will give up. But we paid into this system for exactly these situations. Stay strong and keep filing those weekly claims - you earned these benefits!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress on top of already losing your job! I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago - got let go from my healthcare admin job after 2.5 years with them saying it was "budget restructuring," then they contested my UI claim saying I had "productivity issues" that were never once mentioned to me. The whole process was nerve-wracking, but I want to reassure you that you're in a really good position. Washington ESD takes these cases seriously and they see right through employers who suddenly invent performance problems after termination. The fact that you have 3 years with no documented issues is huge in your favor. My adjudication took about 7 weeks (this was during a busy period), but I was ultimately approved and received back pay for the entire waiting period. The key things that helped were: keeping detailed records of everything, responding immediately to any ESD requests, and being very specific about the lack of any prior performance discussions or warnings. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - start documenting everything now. Screenshot your claim status, save any positive work communications you still have access to, and write down exactly what was said when you were terminated. The more concrete details you can provide to ESD, the stronger your case becomes. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what! You paid into this system and absolutely deserve these benefits. Don't let them intimidate you into giving up - you've got this!