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

That's encouraging to hear. What kind of documentation should I be gathering? I have some text messages about the schedule changes but not much else.

Save everything - text messages, emails, your work schedules showing the hour reductions, any written communications. You'll need to prove the substantial change in your working conditions when you file your claim.

What counts as harassment? My supervisor constantly yells at me and makes unreasonable demands but I don't know if that's enough.

Document everything! Keep records of incidents, dates, witnesses. You'll need to prove the harassment was severe enough that a reasonable person would quit.

What counts as good cause? My situation is pretty bad but I'm not sure if it meets their standards.

Good cause typically includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, discrimination, or significant changes to your job duties or pay. You'd need to document everything thoroughly.

What kind of documentation do I need? I haven't been keeping records of the hostile behavior but it's been going on for months.

Start documenting now - dates, times, witnesses, emails, any written communications. Also check if your company has an HR department you can report to first, as Washington ESD will want to see you tried to resolve it internally.

What kind of documentation would I need? I haven't been writing anything down but I probably should start.

Start documenting everything NOW. Dates, times, witnesses, what was said or done. Save any texts or emails. You'll need to show you tried to resolve it through proper channels first too.

What counts as harassment? My boss has been making really inappropriate comments and creating a hostile environment.

Document everything - dates, witnesses, what was said. You'd need to show you tried to resolve it through proper channels first before quitting.

How long did your investigation take? I'm worried about being without income for too long.

Mine took about 6 weeks total. The adjudication process was the longest part - about 4 weeks. Then I had to do a phone interview with an adjudicator to explain my situation.

Three months?? I can't afford to wait that long without income. What was your situation?

harassment from supervisor, but ESD said i should have reported it to HR first even though we didnt really have HR at a small company

I haven't formally complained to anyone yet because I was afraid it would make things worse. Should I do that before I quit?

Yes, you need to show Washington ESD that you made good faith efforts to resolve the problem. Talk to your supervisor's boss, HR, or whoever handles employee issues. Keep records of these conversations.

But what if complaining just gets you fired instead? Then at least you'd get unemployment without having to prove good cause for quitting.

Did you eventually win your appeal? What kind of documentation did you need?

Yeah I won but it was a nightmare. Had emails, witness statements, even medical records showing stress-related issues from the job.

Did you end up winning your appeal? What was that process like?

Yes I won but it took 3 months total. Had to do a phone hearing with an administrative law judge. Make sure you have all your documentation organized because they'll ask specific questions about dates and events.

How long did it take you to reach someone? I keep reading about people having trouble getting through to ESD.

weeks of calling. finally used some service called claimyr that helped me get connected faster. wish i'd found it sooner

How long did the adjudication process take? I'm worried about the waiting period.

Mine took about 6 weeks. The worst part was trying to get through to Washington ESD to check on the status. I ended up using Claimyr.com to get connected to an actual person - there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of Claimyr before but I'm definitely checking it out. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks with no luck.

That sounds really helpful. How does Claimyr work exactly? I've been dreading trying to call Washington ESD.

Basically they handle the calling for you and get you connected to a real person at Washington ESD. Way better than sitting on hold for hours and getting disconnected. The agent I talked to explained exactly what documentation I needed for my 'quit for good cause' claim.

Is this service legitimate? Sounds too good to be true honestly.

Yeah it's totally legit. I was skeptical too but they just help with the calling part - you still talk directly to Washington ESD agents. Saved me so much frustration.

What kind of documentation would I need to prove harassment? I haven't been filing formal complaints because I was scared of retaliation.

Start documenting everything now - dates, times, witnesses, any emails or texts. Even if you haven't filed formal complaints, your personal records can help support your case.

What kind of proof would I need? I don't have anything in writing about the harassment but I do have some text messages from coworkers who witnessed it.

Document everything you can - dates, times, witnesses. Text messages could help. You might also want to report the harassment to HR first if your company has an HR department.

What kind of documentation do I need for a hostile work environment? Emails, witness statements?

Yes, emails are great evidence. Also keep a detailed log of incidents with dates and times. If you filed complaints with HR, get copies of those too.

What if there's no HR department? Small company with like 8 employees total.

Document complaints to your supervisor or owner in writing. Email works great because it creates a paper trail with timestamps.

What counts as substantial? I went from averaging 30+ hours to getting 10-15 hours per week.

That definitely sounds substantial enough. The key is proving it's permanent, not just a slow period. If you can show this is the new normal and not temporary, you should have a good case.

I don't think my company even has a real HR department. It's just the owner's wife who handles payroll.

that makes it harder but you still need to show you tried. send an email to the owner about the problems and keep a copy

Small companies can be the worst for this stuff. No protections at all.

6 weeks?? How did you survive financially during that time? I can't go that long without income.

It was rough, had to borrow money from family. But once it got approved I got all the back pay from when I first filed.

Thanks, I might need that. The phone lines are always busy when I try calling.

Never heard of that service but honestly anything that helps get through to ESD sounds good to me. Their phone system is terrible.

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

It took about 6 weeks total. I had to do a phone hearing and present my evidence. It was stressful but worth it in the end.

That sounds helpful but is it legit? I'm worried about scams when it comes to unemployment stuff.

Yeah it's real, they just help you get through the phone queue. You still talk directly to Washington ESD agents, they don't handle your claim or anything like that.

I've been documenting incidents with my manager but haven't formally complained to HR yet. Should I do that first before quitting?

Yes, you should attempt to resolve the issue through proper channels first. Washington ESD will want to see that you made reasonable efforts to address the problem before quitting.

This is exactly right. I had a similar situation and had to show I went through the company's complaint process before ESD would consider my claim.

That sounds helpful! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days but can never get through. How much does it cost?

I'd rather not get into pricing details but it was definitely worth it for me to actually talk to someone who could explain my options instead of just guessing.

While the process can be challenging, Washington does recognize legitimate good cause reasons for quitting. Sexual harassment would definitely qualify if properly documented and reported.

Tell that to my friend who had to hire a lawyer to get her benefits. The initial determination said she should have 'tried harder' to resolve it internally.

Only in very specific circumstances with good cause. Most voluntary quits are disqualified but there are exceptions for things like harassment, unsafe conditions, or significant job changes.

oh ok that makes sense. so its not automatic you have to prove it

I wish I had started documenting sooner. Most of the incidents happened months ago and I only have my memory to go on.

Write down what you can remember with as much detail as possible. Even if it's not perfect documentation, it's better than nothing. And start documenting anything new that happens.

Good point. I should probably get some advice before I do anything irreversible.

Good luck getting through to anyone at Washington ESD on the phone though. I've been trying for two weeks about my own claim issues.

That's why services like Claimyr are so valuable. Sometimes you need help just getting connected to the right person at Washington ESD.

How long did the whole appeal process take? And did you have to pay for a lawyer?

The appeal took about 3 months total. I represented myself at the hearing but I did consult with a lawyer beforehand. Some do free consultations.

I hadn't thought about that. Would constructive dismissal help with unemployment benefits?

Potentially yes. If you can prove constructive dismissal, Washington ESD might treat it more like you were fired rather than quit voluntarily.

This is so frustrating! It's like they expect you to stay in terrible situations just to qualify for help when you finally can't take it anymore.

I understand the frustration, but the system is designed to prevent people from quitting jobs just to collect benefits. The good cause exceptions are there for legitimate situations.

Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about. What was your situation? Did you appeal the decision?

My supervisor was constantly criticizing me and making me work overtime without pay. I did appeal but lost that too. They said it wasn't severe enough to justify quitting.

That sounds like wage theft with the unpaid overtime. Did you report that to the Department of Labor & Industries? That could strengthen a future claim.

How long did the appeal process take? I'm worried about going without income during that time.

The appeal took about 6 weeks total, but once I was able to speak with an actual Washington ESD representative they expedited things. That's where Claimyr really helped - getting past the busy signals.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it really does help with getting through their phone system. Worth trying if you're stuck.

i'll check it out, anything is better than this endless calling

How long are we talking? I need to know if I can survive financially during the wait.

Mine took about 6 weeks but I've heard of cases taking longer. And if they deny you initially, you can appeal but that adds more time.

How much does that cost? I'm already worried about money.

Worth checking out their site for details. The main thing is it actually got me through to talk to someone at ESD instead of being on hold for hours.

Never heard of this but honestly anything is better than calling ESD directly. Those wait times are insane.

I get the frustration but there are protections in place. The good cause provisions exist for a reason.

Yeah but try proving good cause to Washington ESD. The burden of proof is so high most people get denied.

Yes, substantial changes to job duties can qualify as good cause. Document the original job description vs your current duties. Show how the changes are unreasonable or significantly different from what you agreed to.

Thanks, I'll start documenting everything. This whole process seems really complicated though.

I understand the frustration but the system is designed to prevent people from quitting jobs unnecessarily and claiming benefits. There has to be some bar to meet.

i guess but it puts people in impossible situations like this

What kind of documentation do they want for workplace harassment? I have some emails but not sure if it's enough.

Emails are good. Also keep records of any witnesses, dates and times of incidents, and documentation of any complaints you filed with HR or management.

How did you present your case to Washington ESD? Did you have a lot of documentation?

I had some emails showing the unreasonable demands and a coworker who was willing to be a witness. But I'm still worried it won't be enough.

How soon after quitting should I file? Same day or wait a bit?

File as soon as possible, ideally within a few days. You can file online through the Washington ESD website or by calling. Just be prepared to explain your reason for quitting in detail.

Did the agent give you different information than what's on the website?

Not different exactly, but much more detailed and specific to my situation. The website is pretty general but talking to an actual person helped me understand what evidence I needed.

That's helpful to know. My situation involves both harassment and hour reduction so maybe I have a chance.

Having multiple qualifying factors might strengthen your case. Just make sure you can document both issues clearly.

Never heard of this. Is it legit or some kind of scam?

totally legit. they just help you get through to esd agents when you need to talk to someone. way better than spending hours on hold

How long do you have to file after quitting?

You should file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's no specific deadline but delays can hurt your case and you might lose benefits for the time you waited.

That's basically the process, yes. It's not fun but if you follow those steps you'll have the best chance of getting approved.

Don't forget you also need to be actively looking for work while your claim is being processed. Keep a job search log.

This is really helpful, thank you! My situation might fall under harassment. Is verbal harassment enough or does it need to be written?

Verbal harassment counts but you need witnesses or some way to document it. Keep a log of incidents with dates and details. If you can get any coworkers to back up your story, that helps a lot.

That's not entirely true. At-will employment works both ways - you can quit for any reason too.

Sure but then you don't get unemployment benefits to survive while looking for another job. It's not really equal.

I work in retail management. Nothing special about the industry that would help me I think.

Retail can be brutal. The hours and customer abuse on top of bad management is a lot.

I'll check that out. Do you remember what other reasons they list as valid?

Things like harassment, unsafe conditions, substantial change in job duties, domestic violence situations, health issues. There's actually quite a few valid reasons if you can document them properly.

That's really helpful insight. I haven't gone through HR yet because our company is so small we don't really have a formal HR process. Would that hurt my case?

Not necessarily. If there's no formal HR process, document that you tried to address it with your supervisor or whoever is in charge. The point is showing you attempted to resolve the issue before quitting.

Yeah I'm definitely going to take some time to prepare everything properly. Better to do it right than rush and get denied.

Smart approach. Having all your documentation ready upfront can really speed up the process once you do file.

For basic quit claims, usually not necessary. But if there are wage theft issues or discrimination involved, might be worth a consultation. Many employment lawyers do free initial consultations.

Good to know. I was thinking more about the unpredictable scheduling potentially violating labor laws.

I agree it's frustrating but without some kind of verification process, anyone could claim harassment just to get benefits after quitting.

I get that but the burden of proof is so high that real victims often can't meet it.

Our HR is basically non-existent, it's just the store manager who's buddies with the person causing problems.

Ugh that's the worst. Small companies with no real HR are nightmares when you have workplace issues.

Six weeks isn't too bad compared to what some others are saying. Did you have to do an interview with ESD?

Yes, they called me and my former employer for phone interviews. Make sure you can clearly explain your situation and have your documentation ready.

What about if they change your schedule drastically? I was hired for day shift but they want to move me to graveyard.

That could qualify as a substantial change to working conditions, especially if it affects your ability to work or care for family.

That's encouraging to hear. What was the most important documentation you had?

Written complaints to HR with dates, witness statements, and my supervisor's non-response to the issues. Also kept a detailed log of incidents.

That's terrible advice. OP should understand the rules and prepare properly if they're going to quit and apply for benefits.

whatever works. the system is broken anyway

I hadn't thought of that approach. How would that work exactly?

If you formally complain about harassment or discrimination and they retaliate by firing you, that would likely qualify you for benefits. Just be careful about how you approach it.

How long does the appeals process take?

Usually 4-6 weeks for a phone hearing, but it can vary depending on their backlog. You'll get a chance to explain your situation directly to an administrative law judge.

I didn't know about the human rights commission. Is that separate from unemployment?

Yes, it's separate but having documentation from them can support your unemployment claim. Shows you tried other options before quitting.

That's encouraging! How long did the whole process take from when you filed to when you got your first payment?

About 8 weeks total. 4 weeks for the initial adjudication, then I had to provide more documentation, then another 4 weeks. But like someone else said, you get all the back pay once approved.

Good point about the job search requirements. How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

It's 3 job search activities per week minimum, but they can be applications, networking, interviews, job fairs, etc. You have to log them in your WorkSource account.

Constructive dismissal is a real legal concept, but Washington ESD still classifies it as a voluntary quit. You'd still need to prove good cause under their standards.

thats so stupid, if they force you out it should count as being fired

I understand that perspective but the stress at my current job is affecting my health. Sometimes you have to prioritize your wellbeing.

I wish I had followed this advice. Being unemployed with no benefits is way more stressful than my old job ever was.

How much notice should I give? Standard two weeks?

Follow whatever your employee handbook says. Two weeks is typical but some jobs require more notice.

Good point. I wasn't planning to lie but it's tempting when you're desperate.

Yeah they verify everything with your employer. Not worth the risk.

I don't think I qualify for FMLA. I've only been at this job for 8 months.

You need to be there a full year for FMLA. But some states have their own family leave laws that might apply.

Washington state does have paid family and medical leave but I think you still need to meet certain requirements.

That's smart advice. I'll try calling them, though from what others are saying it might be hard to get through.

This is another situation where Claimyr could really help - getting through to ask these kinds of pre-filing questions is exactly what it's good for.

That's discouraging. Did you appeal the decision?

I tried but gave up. Too much stress and I found another job anyway.

That's unfortunate but every case is different. The appeals process exists for a reason and many people do win.

3 weeks is a long time. Have you been able to get any updates on your claim status?

That's the frustrating part - I can't get through to anyone at Washington ESD to check on it. Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier and I might try that.

Definitely try Claimyr. It saved me so much time and frustration. Worth every penny to actually talk to someone who can give you real answers.

That's interesting perspective from the employer side. What kind of documentation would be most convincing from your viewpoint?

Clear records showing your normal schedule vs the reduced schedule, any communications about the changes, and evidence that the reduction is permanent rather than temporary. Dates and specifics are key.

Those kinds of cases are harder to prove but not impossible. You'd need to document patterns of behavior and ideally have witnesses. The more specific examples you can provide, the better.

That's what I was afraid of. The subtle stuff is harder to document but can be just as damaging to your ability to do your job.

Right, I forgot about the job search requirements. How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

It varies but usually 3-5 job contacts per week minimum. You have to log them in the system too.

Yes, you still have to meet all the same requirements including job search activities. The only difference is the reason for separation affects your initial eligibility.

Thanks, that's what I figured but wanted to make sure.

What do you mean by having your ducks in a row?

document everything, file complaints through proper channels, get witness statements if possible, and keep records of how the situation affected your ability to work

Good point. I'll make sure to be upfront about everything if I decide to go this route.

Did she appeal the decision? Sometimes the initial review is too quick and they miss important details.

she was too discouraged to appeal. probably should have though

Several people have mentioned this now. Sounds like it might be worth checking out if I end up needing to talk to ESD.

I understand the frustration, but Washington state does recognize mental health impacts as potential good cause. If you have medical documentation showing the job was affecting your health, that can help your case.

Really? I didn't know mental health could count as good cause for quitting.

This is super helpful to hear from someone who actually made these decisions! What were the most common mistakes you saw people make?

Not documenting incidents, not following the company's complaint procedures, and quitting too quickly without giving the employer a chance to address the problem. Also, being vague about what happened instead of providing specific examples.

Unsafe conditions seem like they'd be easier to prove than hostile work environment stuff. I wish I had that kind of clear-cut evidence.

Hostile work environment can be just as valid, you just need to build a solid case with documentation and witnesses like we discussed earlier.

Can you share what kind of records you kept? Like did you write everything down in a notebook or use your phone?

I used a combination. Wrote notes in a small notebook I kept at work, saved screenshots of nasty text messages from my boss, and printed out emails. Also wrote down names of coworkers who witnessed some of the incidents.

Right, I forgot about that part. How many jobs do you have to apply to each week in Washington?

It varies but typically 3-5 job search activities per week. Can include applications, networking, job fairs, interviews. You have to log everything in WorkSourceWA.

That's a good idea but like you said, actually talking to someone there seems nearly impossible.

That's exactly why I used claimyr.com - to actually get through and talk to someone at Washington ESD about my situation before making any decisions.

Yeah I'm definitely worried about the financial aspect. What percentage of your salary does unemployment usually cover?

In Washington it's typically around 50-60% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. Check the ESD website for current benefit amounts.

That's a great suggestion. I'll look into finding someone who specializes in employment law.

Washington State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can help you find employment attorneys in your area.

Good advice. I've been keeping a journal of incidents but maybe I should be more systematic about it.

Exactly. Date, time, witnesses, what happened, how it affected you. The more detailed the better.

I can't afford a lawyer right now. That's part of why I need to know about unemployment benefits.

Many employment lawyers work on contingency - they only get paid if you win. Might be worth a consultation.

Good point. I should start keeping a record of incidents and dates.

Screenshots of texts, printed emails, write down conversations with dates and witnesses present. The more documentation the better.

How long is the waiting period usually?

It varies but could be several weeks, especially if they have to do an investigation into your quit reason. Plan accordingly.

Definitely won't lie, that's just asking for trouble. I just want to make sure I present my situation in the best way possible.

Being honest doesn't mean you can't be strategic about how you present your case. Focus on the facts and how they meet Washington ESD's good cause criteria.

Yeah that's what I'm most worried about. Maybe I should try to find another job first before quitting this one.

Probably the safest approach. Job hunting while employed gives you more negotiating power too.

That's frustrating that it's not more consistent. Makes it feel like a lottery.

This is why documentation is so important - it makes your case less subjective and more fact-based.

Good to know! I was thinking I might take a week or two to decompress first but sounds like that would be a mistake.

Yes, file right away. You can always take time to decompress while your claim is being processed, but you don't want to lose any potential benefit weeks.

Thanks for the reality check. At least now I know what I'm potentially getting into.

Mostly verbal abuse, yelling at me in front of customers, scheduling me for shifts then canceling last minute, and making comments about my appearance. Nothing physical but it's constant.

That definitely sounds like harassment. The public humiliation and appearance comments could be considered creating a hostile work environment.

I haven't heard that term before but it sounds exactly like what's happening to me.

Constructive dismissal is a legal concept but Washington ESD doesn't use that exact terminology. They'd evaluate it under the 'good cause' standard.

Right, but the principle is the same. If they're making your work life impossible, that can qualify as good cause.

What if my employer lies about why I left? I don't trust them to be honest.

That's why documentation is so important. If there's a dispute, ESD will investigate and your records will support your side of the story.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr to talk to an ESD agent before filing. Better to understand the process upfront than deal with surprises later.

That's a good idea. I should probably talk to them before I do anything drastic.

How much does that service cost? Sounds like it might be worth it if it saves you from getting denied.

Good point. I've been so focused on whether I'd qualify that I haven't thought about the ongoing requirements.

Yeah you have to log job search activities and be available for work. It's not just free money, there are obligations.

How are you managing financially while you wait? That's my biggest fear about this whole process.

Honestly it's tight. I'm doing some gig work and had a little savings but it's not sustainable long term. Hoping to hear something soon.

You might want to try calling to check on your claim status. Claimyr could help you get through to an agent to see if there's any update or if they need more information from you.

Good to hear it's consistently working for you. I'm definitely going to check them out before I try calling Washington ESD directly.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it could add up if you need to call multiple times.