Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you quit your job?

Thanks! I haven't documented much yet but I can start. What kind of documentation do they want to see?

Keep records of schedule changes, any written warnings or communications, witness statements if possible, and evidence of you trying to address the issues with management or HR.

How long did it take to get approved? I'm worried about the waiting period.

It took about 6 weeks because they had to do an adjudication to determine if I had good cause. That's the part that takes forever.

What counts as 'good cause'? My situation is really bad but I'm not sure if it would qualify officially.

Good cause includes things like workplace harassment, unsafe conditions, significant reduction in hours or pay, or being asked to do something illegal. You'd need documentation though - emails, witness statements, etc.

How long did the appeal process take? I'm worried about being without income for months.

The whole appeal took about 6 weeks. During that time I was still filing weekly claims even though I wasn't getting paid yet. Once I won, they paid me retroactively for all those weeks.

Same thing happened to me! The retroactive pay was a lifesaver when it finally came through.

That sounds really helpful! Did they charge you a lot to use it?

They focus on the value of actually reaching someone rather than the cost. When you're worried about getting benefits approved, it's worth it to talk to a real person.

I've heard of that service too. My friend used it when her claim got stuck in adjudication.

Where exactly on their website? I looked but couldn't find the specific requirements.

Go to the Washington ESD website and look under 'Eligibility Requirements' then 'Separation from Employment.' It breaks down all the good cause categories.

That's an interesting strategy. I'm worried about how that would look on future job applications though.

You don't have to tell future employers you were fired. Most just ask if you're eligible for rehire, and many companies have policies against giving detailed reasons anyway.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't publish pricing but it was worth it to get actual answers instead of guessing about my eligibility.

I used Claimyr too when I was dealing with an adjudication issue. Saved me so much time and frustration compared to trying to call on my own.

It depends on what 'being a jerk' means. If it's harassment, discrimination, or creating unsafe conditions, that could be good cause. But just not liking your boss isn't enough.

he was making me work in unsafe conditions and refusing to fix broken equipment. would that count?

Unsafe working conditions can definitely qualify as good cause. Document everything and report it to OSHA too if it's serious.

How much did your hours have to be cut for it to count? They've been cutting mine too.

I think it was like a 25% reduction or something. Mine went from full-time to basically part-time so it was pretty obvious.

Did you have to do a phone interview or anything?

Yeah they interviewed me and my former employer. That's why having documentation is so important - it backs up your story.

Good point. I have some emails saved but I should be more systematic about it.

Yes! Create a timeline with dates and details. Also, if there are any witnesses to the toxic behavior, get their contact info in case you need them later.

How are you managing without income during the appeal?

It's really tough. I'm doing some gig work to keep afloat but it's not enough. Really hoping the appeal goes through soon.

Hang in there! Like I said earlier, when my appeal was approved I got all the back pay. It will be worth it if you have a solid case.

What do you mean by grace period? I thought you always had to look for work?

Normally you have a week or two to get your job search set up. With voluntary quits, sometimes they want you searching immediately.

What are the monetary requirements? I've only been at this job for about 8 months.

You need earnings in at least two quarters of your base year, and total earnings of at least 680 times the minimum wage. With 8 months you should be fine as long as you were working full time.

Did she have to provide a lot of personal information to use the service?

From what she said, it was pretty straightforward to use. The main thing is they help you actually reach someone who can look at your specific situation.

It's not well-known but Washington does allow UI benefits for voluntary quits with good cause. The key word is 'good cause' - it has to meet their specific criteria.

Good to know! I might need this information in the future.

I haven't seen a doctor about it but the stress is definitely affecting me. Maybe I should consider that.

It's worth documenting the health impact. My doctor wrote a letter explaining how the work environment was affecting my mental health.

Oh no, I hadn't thought about them fighting it. How long did that add to the process?

It added another month to the adjudication process. But I won in the end because I had solid documentation.

That's reassuring. I've been reading horror stories online about people getting denied.

The horror stories are usually from people who didn't have good documentation or whose situations didn't really meet the good cause criteria.

An extra week on top of the normal waiting period?

Yes, there was a one-week penalty period specifically because I had quit, even though it was for good cause.

Where's the line between personal reasons and good cause? My situation involves my manager being hostile.

Hostile work environment can be good cause if it's severe enough. Document specific incidents, dates, and any witnesses.

Did they give you advice about whether to quit or try to get fired?

They explained the pros and cons of each approach based on my specific situation. Really helpful to get personalized advice instead of trying to interpret the generic information online.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I can't afford to be without income for months.

yeah definitely try to save up some money first or have a backup plan. the appeals process takes time even when you win

Our HR department is useless - they're part of the problem. But I hadn't thought about the state labor department.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries handles workplace safety and harassment complaints. Having an official complaint could help document the hostile work environment.

That's really helpful insight. I have tried talking to my manager's boss but nothing changed.

Make sure you document that attempt to resolve it internally. Washington ESD wants to see you made reasonable efforts before quitting.

How formal is the appeals hearing? Do you need a lawyer?

It's fairly informal - done over the phone usually. You don't need a lawyer but it helps to be organized and practice explaining your situation clearly.

That's good to know. I'm worried my employer will lie about what happened.

That's why documentation is so important. Emails, text messages, witness statements - anything that can corroborate your version of events.

Good point about the job search requirement. I assume I'd need to register with WorkSource too?

Yes, you'll need to register with WorkSourceWA and log your job search activities. They require at least 3 job search contacts per week.

Definitely planning to be honest. I figure the truth is my best shot at getting approved.

Exactly. Washington ESD will find out anyway when they contact your employer, so honesty upfront shows good faith.

That's a good idea. Even if I don't pursue legal action, they might help me understand how to document things properly.

Exactly. They can also advise you on the best way to quit if that's what you decide to do, to maximize your chances of getting unemployment benefits.

Was the agent helpful? I'm worried they'll just give me the runaround.

Yeah, the agent was really knowledgeable about the voluntary quit rules. They explained exactly what documentation I'd need and how the process works.

What if there's no HR department? It's a small company.

Document that you brought it up with your manager or owner. Even if they don't fix it, you've shown you tried.

That's discouraging. Maybe I should just try to stick it out until they fire me?

Don't let them force you into an unbearable situation. If you have legitimate good cause, you have rights. Just be prepared with documentation.

How detailed did you get with the records? I'm not sure what level of detail they want.

Very detailed. Like 'On March 15, 2024, at 2:30 PM, supervisor John Smith yelled at me in front of customers and called me incompetent.' That level of detail.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I'm going to start keeping detailed records and see if I can resolve things first.

Good plan. And remember, if you do end up quitting and filing for benefits, don't let the process intimidate you if you have legitimate good cause.