Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you were fired for performance issues?

Generally speaking, being fired for performance reasons doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. The key distinction is between being terminated for misconduct versus being terminated for inability to meet job requirements. If you were genuinely trying to do your job but couldn't meet expectations due to skill or ability issues, that's different from willful misconduct.

You should definitely apply for benefits. Washington ESD will review your case and make a determination. Your employer will have a chance to contest it, but the burden is on them to prove misconduct. Document everything you can about your termination and keep any performance reviews or warnings you received.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Fired from a call center job for not meeting call resolution times. I applied for unemployment anyway and after about 3 weeks of adjudication, I got approved. The key was that I could show I was making efforts to improve and that I wasn't deliberately underperforming.

I'm going through something similar right now and having trouble getting through to Washington ESD on the phone to check my claim status. Been trying for weeks! I heard about this service called Claimyr that helps people get through to ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth looking into if you need to speak with someone directly about your case.

The Washington ESD adjudication process for performance-related terminations typically takes 2-4 weeks. They'll contact both you and your employer to get statements. Be honest about what happened but emphasize that you were making good faith efforts to meet expectations. Poor performance due to lack of ability or training is not considered misconduct.

Make sure you file your claim as soon as possible! There's no benefit to waiting and you can always withdraw it if you find another job quickly. The worst they can do is deny it, but based on what you're describing, you have a decent chance of approval.

Washington ESD looks at several factors: whether you violated company policy, whether you were aware of the expectations, whether you had the ability to meet them, and whether you made reasonable efforts to comply. Sounds like you meet most of those criteria in your favor.

UGH the Washington ESD phone system is THE WORST. I've been trying to get through for over a month about my own claim issue. The automated system just hangs up on you after being on hold forever. So frustrating when you actually need help!

One thing to keep in mind - even if your employer contests your claim, that doesn't mean you'll automatically be denied. Washington ESD makes their own determination based on the facts. I've seen plenty of cases where employers contest but the claimant still gets approved.

Performance terminations are usually approvable for UI benefits unless there was willful misconduct involved. The fact that you got minimal warning suggests they didn't follow progressive discipline either, which helps your case.

I got fired for performance issues from my retail job two years ago and was approved for unemployment. The key was showing that I was making efforts to improve but just couldn't meet their unrealistic sales targets. Took about a month to get through the adjudication process but it worked out.

Don't let them scare you with the 'performance' label. Unless you were sleeping on the job or deliberately sabotaging work, poor performance alone typically isn't enough to disqualify you from benefits. Washington ESD understands that not every job is a good fit for every person.

File your weekly claims even during the adjudication period! A lot of people don't realize you need to keep certifying even while your claim is being reviewed. If you get approved, you'll get backpay for those weeks, but only if you filed the claims.

Washington ESD generally sides with workers in performance-based termination cases, especially when there's evidence the employee was making good faith efforts. Your situation sounds pretty straightforward for approval.

I work in HR and can tell you that most performance-based terminations don't rise to the level of misconduct required to deny unemployment benefits. Your employer would need to prove you were deliberately underperforming or violating clear policies.

Been there! Got terminated for not meeting sales quotas at my last job. Took forever to get through to someone at ESD to check on my claim status, but eventually got approved. The whole thing was stressful but worked out in the end.

The burden of proof is on your employer to show misconduct, not on you to prove you deserve benefits. Performance issues alone typically aren't enough unless they can demonstrate willful behavior or policy violations.

Keep your expectations realistic about timing. Performance-based termination cases often take longer to adjudicate because ESD needs to review the circumstances more carefully. Could be 3-5 weeks before you hear back.

Make sure you're also doing your job search activities and logging them properly. Even during adjudication, you need to meet the work search requirements to remain eligible for benefits once approved.

honestly dont worry too much about it. i got fired for attendance issues last year which is way worse than performance and still got approved for unemployment. washington esd is pretty reasonable about these things