Can you draw unemployment if you resign from a job in Washington state?

What exactly counts as 'good cause'? My supervisor has been making the work environment pretty hostile lately.

I quit my job last year due to harassment and still got denied by Washington ESD. They said I didn't document it properly.

So I should document everything before I quit? What kind of documentation do they want to see?

Yes, document everything. Emails, written complaints to HR, witness statements, photos of unsafe conditions, medical records if applicable. Washington ESD will want concrete evidence.

I was in a similar boat trying to reach Washington ESD about my quit situation. Someone here mentioned using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have this video demo (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows how it works. Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you so you can actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your specific circumstances.

What if the job is affecting my mental health? Does that count as good cause?

Mental health can be good cause if you have medical documentation showing the job was directly causing or worsening a condition. You'd need a doctor's statement typically.

Did you file any written complaints about the scheduling issues before quitting? Washington ESD wants to see that you made good faith efforts to resolve problems.

No, it was all verbal complaints to my manager. I didn't think to put anything in writing.

That's essentially correct. Washington ESD errs on the side of caution with voluntary quits. If you're considering quitting, talk to an employment attorney first if possible.

Or try to get laid off instead if the company is having issues. I know it sounds bad but if you're planning to leave anyway...

Constructive dismissal is recognized by Washington ESD but it's very hard to prove. You need to show the employer deliberately made conditions intolerable to force you out.

How do you prove that though? It seems like it would just be my word against theirs.

That's encouraging to hear someone actually succeeded. Did you have to appeal or did they approve it initially?

They denied it initially, then I appealed with all my documentation and won at the hearing level.

I used Claimyr last month when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my disqualification. Worth the try when you're desperate to talk to someone who can actually help.

That's still considered a voluntary quit by Washington ESD. You chose to leave your job, even if the new opportunity didn't work out. They typically don't consider that good cause.

That seems really unfair but I guess I understand their logic.

Spouse job relocation can be good cause in Washington if the distance makes commuting impractical. You'll need documentation of the spouse's job transfer and proof of the distance.

My friend got benefits for this exact situation but had to provide her husband's transfer letter and show it was more than reasonable commuting distance.

If Washington ESD determines you had good cause for quitting, you're treated the same as someone who was laid off. No additional waiting periods beyond the normal one week waiting period.

The appeals process is ridiculously slow. I waited 3 months for my hearing date. Have you tried getting help from a legal aid organization?

If you haven't been able to get through to Washington ESD to check on your appeal status, that Claimyr service might help. I know several people who used it to get updates on their pending appeals.

Yeah I'm getting that message loud and clear. Looks like I need to either document everything thoroughly or try to stick it out until I find another job.

Smart choice. Even with good cause it's an uphill battle with Washington ESD.

Significant reduction in hours or pay can be good cause for quitting if it wasn't part of your original job agreement. You'd need to show it was a substantial change that affected your ability to make a living.

How long did the whole appeal process take from start to finish?

About 4 months total. The hearing was about 2 months after I filed the appeal, then another month for the written decision.

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Got connected to an Washington ESD agent within a few hours instead of spending weeks trying to call myself. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to explain your circumstances.

That's reassuring. I'll check out their demo video and see if it's worth trying.

Don't give up if you truly had good cause. I know it's exhausting but sometimes persistence pays off with Washington ESD.

Have you considered getting legal help? Some employment attorneys will work on contingency for unemployment appeals.

Good call. Documentation is everything when it comes to proving good cause to Washington ESD. Take photos, save emails, get witness statements - whatever applies to your situation.

And remember, even if you don't think you have good cause, you can still apply. Worst case they deny you and you're in the same position as if you didn't apply at all.