Can you get Washington ESD unemployment for unsatisfactory work performance - got fired yesterday

That's somewhat reassuring. How long does the adjudication process typically take? I need to know if I should start looking for temporary work immediately.

Adjudication can take 2-6 weeks depending on complexity. I'd recommend filing your claim immediately and starting job search activities regardless - you're required to be actively seeking work anyway.

Should I be worried about what my employer might tell Washington ESD? They seemed pretty frustrated with my performance lately.

Just be honest about what happened. If you were genuinely trying to do the job, that's what matters. Document your side of the story while it's fresh in your memory.

Did your employer fight the claim? I'm worried they might contest it since they documented the performance issues.

They did provide their documentation to Washington ESD, but since I wasn't insubordinate or violating rules, just struggling with performance, I still qualified. Having no written warnings or improvement plan actually helped my case.

This gives me hope. I got fired from a customer service job for similar reasons - couldn't handle the call volume they expected but was never formally disciplined.

How does that work exactly? I've been dreading trying to call Washington ESD if I need to provide more details about my termination.

Basically they handle the calling for you and get you connected to an actual Washington ESD representative. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

Never heard of this but might be worth checking out. I spent literally 6 hours trying to get through to Washington ESD last month.

Good point, I almost forgot about that. Do I need to be doing job searches during adjudication too?

Yes, you need to be able and available for work and actively seeking employment. Keep a log of your job search activities in case Washington ESD asks for it.

Being late repeatedly could be considered misconduct depending on the circumstances. Did you communicate with your employer about the transportation issues and try to find solutions?

i told them about my car problems but they said it was my responsibility to get to work on time. seems unfair since i couldnt control when my car broke down

Unfortunately, chronic tardiness is often viewed as misconduct even when there are legitimate reasons. The key is whether you took reasonable steps to address the problem and communicate with your employer.

How does the appeal process work if they deny me? Is it worth fighting or should I just move on and find another job?

Appeals go to an administrative law judge who reviews the case independently. If you genuinely believe you weren't at fault, it's often worth appealing. You have 30 days from the determination to file an appeal.

That's exactly my situation - no formal warnings or improvement plan. They just documented a few incidents and then terminated me. Hopefully that works in my favor.

Lack of progressive discipline definitely strengthens your case. Washington ESD expects employers to give employees reasonable opportunity to correct performance issues before termination.

Already filed online yesterday, just waiting for the adjudication interview now. Hopefully it doesn't take too long.

Good! Make sure to answer your phone if Washington ESD calls for the fact-finding interview. Missing that call can delay your case even more.

At least we're not alone in this situation. It's so stressful not knowing if you'll qualify. Have you been looking for work while waiting?

Yeah, applying to jobs daily but the market is tough right now. Really hoping the unemployment comes through to help with bills while I search.

Keep your chin up - sounds like both your situations would likely qualify. Genuine performance struggles without misconduct usually don't disqualify you from benefits.

I feel your frustration but that kind of attitude doesn't help people who are going through the process now. The system has issues but most legitimate claims do get approved eventually.

Maybe you're right but it's infuriating how slow everything moves when people need help paying rent and buying groceries. The system needs major reform.

A couple people have mentioned this service now. Is it legitimate? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government benefits.

It's legit - they just help you get connected to actual Washington ESD staff. I was skeptical too but it worked exactly as advertised. Way less frustrating than the normal calling process.

Good advice. I should probably write down exactly what my supervisor said when they fired me and the reasons they gave.

Exactly. Also gather any emails or documents related to your performance that you might have saved. The more documentation you have, the better you can present your case.

5 weeks feels like forever when you're stressed about money, but good to know there's hope. Thanks for sharing your brother's experience.

yeah it sucks waiting but he eventually got all his back pay once they approved him. hang in there

I've thought about driving for rideshare or delivery apps. Do I need to report that income even if it's just a few hours here and there?

Yes, you need to report all earnings when you file your weekly claims. Washington ESD will reduce your benefit amount based on what you earn, but you can still receive partial benefits.

Thanks for the encouragement. I really hope it doesn't come to that, but it's good to know appeals are an option if needed.

Hopefully you won't need to appeal, but don't be intimidated by the process if you do. Administrative law judges review these cases fairly and often side with claimants when employers can't prove actual misconduct.

That's really helpful advice. I was worried about what to say in that interview. Should I mention that I was still learning the job after 8 months?

You can mention that you were still developing your skills, especially if it was a complex position or you didn't receive adequate training. That actually supports your case that it was a performance issue rather than misconduct.

And if you need to provide additional information after the interview, that's another situation where Claimyr can help you reach an agent quickly instead of spending hours on hold.