Can you be fired and collect unemployment in Washington state?

You can definitely still apply for unemployment benefits even if you were fired. Washington ESD will review your case to determine if the termination was for 'misconduct.' Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful or you were repeatedly warned and ignored the warnings.

The key thing is whether it was misconduct or not. Simple performance issues, attendance problems that aren't willful, or even some policy violations might not disqualify you. File your claim right away - don't wait!

I was in a similar situation last year. Got fired for 'not meeting expectations' but Washington ESD approved my claim after investigating. The process took about 3 weeks but I did get backpay for those weeks.

Just want to add that if Washington ESD takes too long to process your claim or you can't get through to them on the phone, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people reach Washington ESD agents directly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. I used it when my claim was stuck in adjudication.

be careful tho - if you were fired for gross misconduct like stealing or fighting you probably wont qualify. but performance stuff is usually ok

Make sure you file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being reviewed. You can't get paid for weeks you don't claim, even if you're later approved.

The whole system is so confusing. I got fired 6 months ago and went through the same thing. Washington ESD will probably put your claim in adjudication while they investigate. Just be patient and keep filing your weekly claims.

Also remember you need to be actively looking for work and logging your job searches. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.

ugh the washington esd phone system is THE WORST. i tried calling for 3 days straight last month and never got through. so frustrating when you just need answers

Don't let your employer intimidate you into not filing. I had a boss try to tell me I wouldn't qualify because I was fired, but that's not always true. Let Washington ESD make the determination.

The misconduct standard is pretty high in Washington. Unless you did something really egregious or repeatedly violated clear policies after warnings, you'll probably be fine.

I work in HR and see these cases all the time. Simple performance terminations rarely result in disqualification unless there's documentation of willful behavior or insubordination.

File ASAP! There's a waiting period anyway so the sooner you start the process the better. Even if you end up not qualifying, you won't know unless you try.

Also make sure you understand the difference between being laid off vs fired. If it was really a layoff due to business reasons, that's different than being terminated for cause.

Keep track of everything - dates, conversations, any documentation. If your employer contests your claim you might need to provide details during the adjudication process.

The bottom line is most people who get fired for performance reasons do qualify for unemployment in Washington. The system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, and poor performance often falls into that category.

Just wanted to add that Washington state is generally pretty worker-friendly when it comes to unemployment claims. Even if your employer contests it, don't get discouraged - ESD will do a fair investigation. I've seen plenty of people approved even after being fired for performance issues. The key is being honest and cooperative throughout the process. Also, if you do get denied initially, you have the right to appeal within 30 days. Don't give up if the first decision doesn't go your way!

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago. Got fired for "not meeting expectations" after working at a company for 3 years. I was really worried about applying for unemployment but decided to do it anyway. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 4 weeks of investigation. The adjudicator told me that performance issues don't usually count as misconduct unless there's clear evidence of willful disregard for job duties. My advice: file immediately, be completely honest in your application, and don't let your former employer discourage you from applying. You paid into the unemployment system through your paychecks - you have every right to use it when you need it. Also, start your job search activities right away and keep detailed records. Good luck!