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

What kind of documentation do I need? I have some emails but not sure if that's enough.

Emails are good, also any written complaints you filed with HR, witness statements if possible, medical records if the stress affected your health. The more documentation the better.

Did you have to talk to your manager or HR before quitting? I'm scared that will make things worse.

Yeah I had to show I complained to HR first. It sucked but Washington ESD requires you to give the employer a chance to fix the problem.

Thanks! I'll check that out. The Washington ESD phone lines are always busy when I try to call.

Is Claimyr expensive? I'm already struggling financially.

It's worth it when you need answers quickly. Much better than spending all day redialing Washington ESD.

It's not random, but the adjudication process can seem inconsistent. Each case is evaluated individually based on the specific circumstances and evidence provided.

Maybe not random but definitely inconsistent. My friend had almost identical situation to another person I know and got totally different outcomes.

What's constructive dismissal? Never heard of that term.

It's when an employer makes working conditions so bad that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. If you can prove constructive dismissal, it's treated more like being fired than quitting voluntarily.

That sounds exactly like my situation! My boss kept changing my schedule last minute and giving me impossible deadlines.

That's not always possible when you're dealing with a toxic work environment that's affecting your mental health.

Not everyone has the luxury of job searching while dealing with workplace harassment. Unemployment benefits exist for situations exactly like this.

Document all of these changes! What you're describing could be constructive dismissal. Keep records of your original job description vs current duties, schedule changes, any written communications.

That's textbook constructive dismissal. If you can prove they're deliberately making your job untenable, you'd have a strong case for unemployment benefits even if you quit.

How do they define 'significant' changes? My job duties have definitely changed but not sure if it's enough.

Generally it needs to be substantial enough that it materially affects your employment. Like if they hired you as a secretary but now want you doing manual labor, or cut your pay by more than 10%.

Even if giving notice means staying in the toxic situation longer?

I know it's hard, but yes. Two weeks notice shows you acted professionally. Washington ESD considers whether you behaved reasonably throughout the process.

That sounds exhausting. Did she have a lawyer or handle it herself?

She handled it herself but said she wished she'd gotten help earlier. The appeal process is complicated and Washington ESD doesn't make it easy.

Good point. I spent weeks trying to figure out why my appeal was taking so long before I finally got through to someone who explained what documents I was missing.

How long is the waiting period usually?

Depends on your situation but could be several weeks especially if they need to investigate your claim. Always assume it'll take longer than you hope.

What kind of documentation convinced them on appeal?

Medical records from my doctor about stress-related symptoms, witness statements from coworkers, and a detailed timeline of incidents with dates and times.

This is terrible advice. Deliberately getting fired can disqualify you from benefits just as much as quitting, and it's unethical besides.

im just saying the system is easier if you get laid off or fired through no fault of your own

I don't think we have that but I'll check. HR has been pretty useless so far though.

EAP is usually separate from HR and confidential. Even if HR hasn't helped, EAP might have different resources available.

That's really helpful insight! What's the most common mistake people make when filing these claims?

Not documenting attempts to resolve the issue first. Washington ESD wants to see you gave the employer a fair chance to fix the problem before quitting.

This is why I love reddit - actual insider knowledge! Thanks for sharing your experience.

I'm definitely going to look into this. The not knowing what's happening with your claim is almost worse than the financial stress.

Thank you everyone for all the advice! This has been incredibly helpful. I'm going to start documenting everything and see if I can resolve things through proper channels first.

Smart approach. Having documentation protects you either way - whether you end up quitting for good cause or if they fire you in retaliation for complaining.