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

It's possible but very difficult. Washington ESD requires you to prove you had 'good cause' for quitting. Things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or major changes to your job duties might qualify. Inconsistent scheduling alone probably won't cut it unless you can show it was a substantial change from when you were hired.

Generally no, but there are exceptions for 'good cause' reasons like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or substantial changes to your job. You'd need to document everything thoroughly before quitting.

Generally no, Washington ESD will deny your claim if you quit without what they call 'good cause.' You have to prove the reason you quit was beyond your control or that any reasonable person would have quit in your situation. It's a pretty high bar to meet.

Yes, you can get unemployment after quitting but only if you have 'good cause' under Washington law. Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, discrimination, or significant changes to your job duties or pay. You'll need to document everything and be prepared to prove your case during adjudication.

honestly just stay at the job and let them fire you if its that bad. way easier to get unemployment that way. i tried to quit for good cause once and it was a nightmare with all the paperwork

Generally you can't get unemployment if you quit voluntarily, but there are some exceptions in Washington. If you quit for 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job duties/pay, you might still qualify. You'll need to document everything and be prepared to prove your case during the adjudication process.

I quit my job last year because of a hostile work environment and initially got denied for benefits. Had to appeal the decision and it took forever to get through to someone at Washington ESD to explain my situation properly.

I quit my job last year due to my supervisor's verbal abuse and got approved for unemployment. But it took forever - like 8 weeks in adjudication while they investigated. Washington ESD really scrutinizes voluntary quit cases.

I successfully got benefits after quitting last year, but it took forever to get through to someone at Washington ESD to explain my situation. The phone system is awful - I probably called 200+ times before reaching a human. If you do decide to quit and file, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr.com to help you get through to an actual agent. They have this system that calls for you and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Yes, you can get unemployment after quitting in Washington but only if you have 'good cause' which is pretty specific. The main categories are unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or health issues. You'll need to document everything - emails, witnesses, medical records if health-related.

Generally, Washington ESD will deny unemployment benefits if you quit without good cause. However, there are exceptions for what they call 'good cause' reasons like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or major changes to your job that weren't part of the original agreement. You'd need to prove your reason for quitting was compelling.

Generally speaking, if you quit your job voluntarily, Washington ESD will deny your unemployment claim initially. However, there are specific circumstances where you can quit and still qualify for benefits - it's called 'good cause' for leaving. Things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties or hours, or domestic violence situations can qualify.

Generally Washington ESD doesn't approve unemployment for voluntary quits, but there are exceptions for 'good cause' situations. What you're describing with the hostile work environment and unpaid overtime demands might qualify. You'd need to document everything - keep emails, write down incidents with dates, maybe even record conversations if it's legal in Washington (it is with one-party consent).

I quit my job last year due to harassment and got approved for unemployment after an initial denial. Had to appeal but it worked out. The key is proving your employer created conditions that forced you to quit.

You can potentially get unemployment if you quit for "good cause" in Washington. This includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties, or other circumstances that would make a reasonable person quit. You'll need to document everything and be prepared to prove your case during adjudication.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD about this, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on when I had questions about my claim status.

If you're dealing with adjudication delays trying to reach Washington ESD, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent. They have this system that handles the calling for you - check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me hours of calling.

I quit my job last year due to harassment and got approved for benefits. The key is you have to try to resolve the issue first - talk to HR, document your complaints, give your employer a chance to fix it. If they don't address it, then you have good cause to quit.

I quit my job last year due to harassment and got approved after an appeal. You need LOTS of documentation though - emails, witness statements, anything that proves the situation was intolerable. Washington ESD initially denied me but I won at the hearing.

i quit my last job and got denied initially but then won my appeal. the key is you have to prove you had good cause and that you tried to resolve the issue first. like if theres harassment you need to show you reported it to HR or management before quitting

I quit my last job and got denied initially, but I appealed it and won. The key is showing that staying would have been unreasonable. Document everything if you're dealing with a hostile work environment.

Generally speaking, if you quit voluntarily, you won't qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. The basic rule is that you need to be unemployed through no fault of your own. However, there are some exceptions for what's called 'good cause' - like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job that weren't part of your original agreement.

Generally speaking, if you quit voluntarily, Washington ESD will disqualify you from receiving UI benefits. However, there are exceptions for what they call 'good cause' situations - things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job duties or pay.

Before you quit, try talking to Washington ESD or getting advice from someone who knows the system. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) when I had questions about my claim situation. They actually got me through to a real ESD agent who explained my options. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out before you make any big decisions.

Just a heads up - if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about this stuff, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a real person at ESD. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

i quit my last job and got denied immediately. took forever to appeal and still lost. probably better to try to get fired instead if you can

I quit my job last year due to harassment and got approved for unemployment after adjudication. It took about 6 weeks though and I had to provide a ton of documentation. Washington ESD will investigate your claim thoroughly.

You need to be really careful about this. I quit my last job thinking I had good cause and Washington ESD denied my claim. Had to go through a whole appeal process that took months.

You really need to be careful about quitting. Washington ESD is pretty strict about voluntary quits. Even if you think you have good cause, they might not see it that way. Have you tried talking to HR or filing a formal complaint first?

BE VERY CAREFUL! I quit my job thinking I had good cause and Washington ESD denied my claim. Now I'm appealing but it's been 3 months with no income. You really need to be 100% sure you meet their criteria before quitting. Maybe try talking to your manager about the scheduling issues first?

be careful about quitting - if ESD doesn't think you had good cause you'll be disqualified and might have to pay back benefits. The burden of proof is on you to show why you HAD to quit.

Before you quit, try talking to HR or filing a complaint if your company has those procedures. Washington ESD wants to see that you tried to resolve the situation first. Also consider talking to an employment lawyer - some offer free consultations.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to get clarification on your specific situation, I had luck using Claimyr.com - they help you get through to actual agents. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST WORKERS! I've seen people get denied for the most ridiculous reasons. They make it nearly impossible to prove 'good cause' and then when you appeal they take forever to respond. Meanwhile you're broke and can't pay rent!

You should try reaching Washington ESD to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions. The phone lines are always busy though - I've had success using Claimyr to get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com, they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about this, I used claimyr.com recently and it actually worked. They have a system that calls and waits on hold for you, then connects you to an agent. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than spending hours on hold yourself.

I used Claimyr recently to get through to Washington ESD about my claim status. If you do end up quitting and filing, their system can help you actually reach a human to discuss your specific situation. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than spending hours on hold.

WHATEVER YOU DO dont just quit without having another job lined up or solid proof of harassment!! Washington ESD is super strict about voluntary quits. I quit a toxic job thinking I'd be fine and got denied. Had to scramble to find work while broke.

The key things Washington ESD looks for in voluntary quit cases: 1) You had good cause connected to your work, 2) You made reasonable efforts to preserve your job first, 3) You can document both the problem and your attempts to resolve it. Examples of good cause include harassment, unsafe conditions, significant changes to job duties or pay, or domestic violence situations.

I tried to get unemployment after quitting and got denied. Turns out just being unhappy with your job or having a bad boss isn't enough - it has to be something that would make any reasonable person quit. My advice is to document EVERYTHING before you quit.

The key things Washington ESD looks for in voluntary quit cases: did you try to resolve the issue first, was quitting your only reasonable option, and can you prove the working conditions were genuinely intolerable. Document everything before you quit!

My cousin quit her job because her boss was sexually harassing her and she got unemployment after appealing. But she had to go through a whole investigation process and it was really stressful. Make sure you're ready for that if you go this route.

the whole system is rigged against workers anyway. they make it nearly impossible to get benefits even when you deserve them

The specific term Washington ESD uses is 'quit for good cause connected to the work.' This includes things like: discrimination, harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant reduction in hours or pay, or being asked to do something illegal. You have to prove that a reasonable person in your situation would have quit too.

I quit my job last year due to a hostile work environment and was initially denied benefits. Had to go through the whole appeal process to get it approved. The key is having solid documentation. If you're dealing with getting through to Washington ESD about your specific situation, I found claimyr.com really helpful - they have a service that helps you actually reach an agent instead of sitting on hold forever. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

wait i thought you couldnt get unemployment if you quit period?? this is confusing

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to discuss your situation, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Sometimes you need to talk to someone directly about these complex good cause situations.

You need to be very careful about how you handle this. If you're thinking of quitting, document everything first. Keep emails, write down incidents with dates and witnesses, save any text messages from your boss. If there's an HR department, file a formal complaint and keep copies. Washington ESD will want to see that you made a good faith effort to resolve the problems before leaving.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to discuss your situation, I found this service called Claimyr that helps people reach ESD agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth it to get official guidance before you make any decisions.

Before you quit, have you tried filing complaints with HR or documenting the harassment through official channels? Washington ESD will want to see that you tried to resolve the situation first before quitting.

The key is proving you had 'good cause attributable to the employer.' Hostile work environment could qualify if you can show the employer failed to address documented complaints. Did you file any formal complaints with HR?

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about 'good cause' reasons for quitting. Some of the accepted reasons include: substantial reduction in hours, unsafe working conditions, harassment or discrimination, or if your employer violates labor laws. But the burden of proof is on you to demonstrate it.

The unpaid overtime thing is actually wage theft and you should report it to L&I too, not just quit. Washington ESD looks favorably on situations where the employer is breaking labor laws. File a complaint with the Department of Labor & Industries about the unpaid overtime - it strengthens your unemployment case.

honestly just stay until they fire you if you can handle it. way easier to get unemployment that way and you dont have to fight appeals and stuff

The key thing is you have to prove you had 'good cause' which is a pretty high bar. Things like personality conflicts with your boss usually don't qualify, but safety issues or discrimination might.

Also make sure you understand the difference between 'good cause' and 'compelling family reasons' - they're separate categories with different requirements. Good cause is about work conditions, compelling family reasons is for things like domestic violence or caring for family members.

The specific law is RCW 50.20.050 if you want to read the actual requirements. Good cause includes things like domestic violence, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, or substantial changes to your job duties without your agreement.

ugh the whole system is so messed up. why should you have to stay in a toxic job just to get benefits?? make it make sense

ugh the whole system is so unfair. why should someone have to stay in an abusive job just to get benefits they paid into??

Update: I talked to my manager today about the scheduling issues and she said they're understaffed so the inconsistent hours will continue indefinitely. Should I document this conversation somehow?

Just to be clear on Washington ESD rules - 'good cause' for quitting includes things like: workplace harassment, unsafe conditions, significant reduction in hours/pay, discrimination, domestic violence situations, or major changes to job duties. The key is proving these conditions existed and that a reasonable person would have quit.

Just quit and say you were laid off. Who's gonna check?

What about constructive dismissal? My boss has been making my job impossible - changing my schedule constantly, giving me tasks outside my job description, basically trying to force me out.

I tried this route and got denied. Took it to appeal and still lost. Sometimes Washington ESD just doesn't see things the way you do even with documentation.

The specific Washington good cause reasons include: workplace safety violations, significant reduction in hours or pay, harassment or discrimination, working conditions that violate health/safety standards, and domestic violence situations. Each case is reviewed individually during adjudication.

Update: I ended up calling in sick today because I just couldn't deal with going in. This is affecting my health now too. Would that help my case if I mention the stress and anxiety?

Just to be clear - you'll still have to serve a waiting week and meet all the other requirements like job search and being able and available for work. Quitting for good cause just means you won't be disqualified for voluntary separation.

I tried this route and got denied. Apparently my documentation wasn't good enough even though I thought I had a solid case. The appeals process is a nightmare too.

omg same situation here! my boss is absolutely awful and creating such a toxic environment. i'm documenting everything now just in case

I'm going through this exact situation right now! Filed my claim after quitting due to my boss creating a hostile work environment. Washington ESD initially denied it but I'm appealing. The adjudication process is taking forever though.

just quit my job yesterday because my boss was being completely unreasonable and now im freaking out about money. didnt know about the good cause thing. do i have any chance??

Also consider that even if you qualify, there's usually a waiting period and you'll go through adjudication which can take weeks. Make sure you have some savings to cover that gap.

Important thing to remember is that even if Washington ESD initially denies your claim for quitting, you can appeal the decision. Many people give up after the first denial, but appeals are pretty common and often successful if you have legitimate good cause.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST WORKERS!!! I quit because of harassment and they STILL denied me initially. Had to fight tooth and nail to prove it wasn't my fault. Meanwhile my employer probably got away with treating other people the same way.

ugh the whole system is so messed up. they make it nearly impossible to quit even when your job is making you miserable. meanwhile companies can fire you for any reason and you get benefits no questions asked

Whatever you do, DON'T just walk out. Give notice if possible and try to work with your employer first. ESD wants to see that you made a good faith effort to resolve the issues before quitting.

If you do end up needing to appeal a denial, Claimyr can also help you reach Washington ESD for appeal information. The phone system is brutal when you're trying to get time-sensitive information about deadlines and procedures.

Another option is to see if you can get reduced hours or take leave instead of quitting outright. Sometimes that can help your case later if things don't improve. Also, if you do end up filing for unemployment after quitting, be completely honest about your reasons. Don't try to hide that you quit - Washington ESD will find out anyway from your employer.

I had a similar situation last year - toxic boss, no HR department, felt like I was going crazy. I ended up quitting and filing for unemployment. Got denied initially but won on appeal after I showed all my documentation of the hostile work environment. The hearing officer said the key was proving I had no reasonable alternative but to quit.

honestly the system is rigged against workers who quit. even with good reasons they make you jump through hoops. but if youre being harassed you shouldnt have to stay just to get benefits

whatever you do dont just quit without trying other options first. maybe talk to hr or look for another job while you're still employed? unemployment is not guaranteed even with good cause

The system is so frustrating. I've been trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD for weeks about my quit situation and can never reach anyone. The phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected after waiting forever.

Can you file for partial unemployment if your hours get cut instead of quitting completely? Might be a better option.

This is really helpful everyone. I think I'm going to start documenting everything and maybe consult with an employment lawyer before making any decisions. The last thing I want is to quit and then get stuck with no income and no benefits.

my friend quit and got unemployment but she had to prove constructive dismissal or something like that

One thing people don't realize is that Washington ESD will look at whether you had 'reasonable alternatives' to quitting. Like if you could have transferred to a different department or taken a leave of absence instead. They want to see that quitting was really your last resort.

For anyone going through the appeal process, seriously consider using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD faster. When you're dealing with appeals and hearings, time is critical and you need to be able to reach someone who can help.

Another category that qualifies is 'domestic violence' situations where someone needs to quit for their safety or to relocate. Washington has specific provisions for this that don't require the same level of work-related documentation.

What if you quit for health reasons? I have a medical condition that my job was making worse but I'm not sure if that counts as good cause.

One thing people don't mention enough - start looking for new jobs BEFORE you quit if possible. It shows Washington ESD that you're serious about working and not just trying to get benefits. Plus you might find something and not have to deal with this whole mess.

Also remember that if you quit, you need to file your initial claim right away. Don't wait thinking you need to find a job first. The sooner you file, the sooner adjudication can start.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about voluntary quit situations. You should definitely read through that before doing anything.

Whatever you do, don't just walk out without giving notice. That could hurt your case even more. Try to quit professionally and keep all your documentation organized.

Make sure you understand the difference between 'misconduct' and 'good cause' - these are specific legal terms Washington ESD uses. Good cause means you had compelling personal reasons to quit that any reasonable person would understand. Misconduct is when you get fired for breaking rules or poor performance.

So what exactly do I need to document if I'm thinking about quitting? Should I be keeping a journal or something?

I had a friend who quit and got denied initially but then used some service to help her get through to Washington ESD and explain her situation better. I think it was called Claimyr or something like that. She said it was way easier than trying to call on her own.

Whatever you decide, make sure you file your claim right away after quitting. Even if you think you might get denied, it's better to get the process started. The adjudication can take weeks anyway.

Another thing to consider - if you do quit and file for unemployment, your employer will be notified and can dispute your claim. They'll have a chance to present their side of the story during the adjudication process. Make sure you have solid evidence of whatever good cause you're claiming.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about good cause for quitting. Might be worth reading through that before you make your decision. They list specific examples of what they consider valid reasons.

I work in HR and see this stuff a lot. Most people don't realize that Washington ESD will contact your former employer during the adjudication process. Your employer can dispute your claim and provide their side of the story, so make sure your documentation is solid.

My friend quit because her employer kept changing her schedule with no notice and she couldn't arrange childcare. Washington ESD approved her claim because it was considered a substantial change to the working conditions she was hired under.

Another option is trying to get laid off instead of quitting. Sometimes if you explain your situation to a reasonable employer, they'll work with you. Or your performance might naturally decline due to the stress, leading to termination.

My sister quit her job last month because of hostile work environment and got approved for benefits. But she had HR complaints and everything documented. The key was showing she tried to fix it first.

Before you quit, have you tried talking to HR about the hostile work environment? Sometimes Washington ESD wants to see that you tried to resolve the issue internally first.

Just wanted to say I've been through this too. It's scary to think about quitting without another job lined up. Take your time to plan it out and gather evidence if you decide to go that route.

One thing people don't mention enough is that even if you win your appeal, there's usually a waiting period before benefits start. So make sure you have some savings or a plan to cover expenses during that time.

Just wanted to add that I used Claimyr when I was dealing with a voluntary quit claim and it really helped. I was able to speak with an ESD adjudicator directly to explain my situation instead of just hoping my written statement was enough. Definitely worth checking out if you need to talk to someone at ESD.

Been there. Quit due to sexual harassment and it took 3 months to get approved. Had to provide police reports, witness statements, the whole nine yards. But I did eventually get my benefits.

My friend quit for harassment and got approved but it took forever and she almost lost her apartment waiting for benefits. Make sure you have some kind of backup plan financially.

I quit for harassment and initially got denied but won on appeal. The key was having detailed records of incidents and showing I tried to resolve it through proper channels first.