Can you get unemployment if you quit your job in Washington? Need answers fast

Generally no, you can't get regular unemployment if you quit voluntarily. Washington ESD considers that 'leaving work without good cause' and you'll be disqualified. There are some exceptions but they're pretty specific - like if you quit for documented harassment, unsafe working conditions, or significant changes to your job that weren't part of the original agreement.

I quit my job last year and got denied for benefits initially. Had to go through the whole appeal process and it was a nightmare trying to get through to anyone at Washington ESD to explain my situation.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD about quit situations, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to a real person. They have this system that helps you navigate the phone queues and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Was able to get clarification on my specific quit situation without spending hours on hold.

The key thing is 'good cause' - Washington ESD has a specific definition for this. It has to be something that would make any reasonable person quit. Things like not getting paid, dangerous working conditions, discrimination, or major changes to your job duties or schedule that weren't agreed to originally.

ugh I'm in the same boat! My manager has been making my life miserable for months but I don't think I have enough proof for Washington ESD to consider it good cause. Thinking about just sticking it out until I find another job.

Also important to know - even if you do have good cause, you still need to make a reasonable effort to resolve the issue with your employer first. Washington ESD will ask if you tried to work things out before quitting.

whatever you do don't just quit without having everything documented perfectly because Washington ESD will deny you and then you're stuck with no income AND no benefits

Just to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I used them again recently when I had questions about my quit documentation and they really helped me understand what Washington ESD was looking for. Made the whole process less stressful than trying to decode their website.

From what I understand the burden of proof is really high for quit cases. You basically have to show that any reasonable person in your situation would have quit. It's not enough that the job sucked or your boss was difficult.

I quit my job for medical reasons last year and got approved but it took forever to get through the process. Had to provide tons of medical documentation and employer records.

Another option might be to see if you can get your employer to lay you off instead of quitting. Sometimes if you explain your situation they might be willing to do that, especially if they're not happy with the situation either.

If you do decide to quit, make sure you file your unemployment claim right away even if you think you might be denied. The sooner you file, the sooner the process starts, and if you do end up winning an appeal later your benefits can be backdated.

the whole system is set up to make it hard for people who quit to get benefits. I get why but it sucks when you're in a genuinely bad situation at work

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it was actually really helpful for getting specific questions answered about quit situations. Saved me a lot of time trying to figure out Washington ESD's requirements on my own.

Before you make any decisions, you might want to consult with an employment attorney. Many offer free consultations and they can tell you if your situation might qualify as constructive dismissal or wrongful termination.

At the end of the day you have to weigh the risk. If you quit without solid documentation of good cause, you'll probably be denied benefits. But if staying is seriously affecting your health or wellbeing, sometimes you have to prioritize that over the financial risk.