Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Washington?

You can definitely still get unemployment even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD looks at whether it was 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually aren't considered misconduct unless you were willfully ignoring your job duties. If they fired you for attendance, tardiness, or not being able to do the work properly, that's usually not disqualifying.

File your claim right away! Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination. Even if they initially deny you, you can appeal. The key is whether your termination was for 'misconduct connected with work.' Simple poor performance or inability to meet standards usually doesn't qualify as misconduct. Make sure to file within the first week after losing your job to avoid any delays.

I was in a similar situation last year - got fired from my retail job for 'not meeting sales goals' even though the targets were impossible. Filed for unemployment anyway and got approved after they investigated. Washington ESD contacted my former employer and determined it wasn't misconduct. The whole process took about 3 weeks but I got my benefits. Definitely file your claim!

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a real person at the unemployment office. They have this demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me hours of being on hold and getting disconnected.

just file asap, worst case they say no and you appeal it

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired for cause vs. being laid off. If they're claiming performance issues but you were really just one of many people they let go for budget reasons, that's actually a layoff situation and you'd definitely qualify. Sometimes employers frame layoffs as performance issues to avoid paying higher unemployment insurance rates.

Washington ESD is pretty fair about these things. I've seen people get approved even when they were fired for attendance issues as long as it wasn't willful misconduct. Performance problems, inability to do the job, personality conflicts - none of that is usually disqualifying misconduct.

File online at secure.esd.wa.gov as soon as possible. Don't wait around wondering if you qualify - let Washington ESD make that determination. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if approved.

One more thing - if Washington ESD does contact you for more information during their investigation, be honest but don't volunteer negative information about yourself. Answer their questions directly but don't elaborate unless asked. They're trying to determine if your employer had cause to fire you for misconduct.

I got fired from my last job for supposedly not following procedures, but it was really because I complained about safety issues. Still got my unemployment after Washington ESD investigated. They're pretty thorough about looking into the real reasons behind terminations.

Just wanted to add - if you do get initially denied and need to appeal, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier is really helpful for getting through to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your appeal status. The regular phone lines are impossible to get through on.

The system is SO broken. Been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim and can never get through. Thousands of people calling the same numbers and only like 5 people answering phones.

Performance issues are usually not misconduct unless you were deliberately sabotaging your work or refusing to follow clear instructions. Sounds like you have a good case for benefits. File your claim and don't stress too much about it.

washington unemployment laws are actually pretty worker-friendly compared to some states. they really do look at whether the firing was your fault or not

Final thought - document everything about your termination while it's fresh in your memory. Write down exactly what your supervisor said, what reasons they gave, dates of any meetings or write-ups, etc. This information could be helpful if Washington ESD needs more details during their investigation.

Don't let them intimidate you into thinking you don't deserve benefits. If you worked and paid into the system, and you didn't do anything willfully wrong, you have every right to file for unemployment when you lose your job through no fault of your own.

Update us on how it goes! Always curious to hear how these situations turn out.

Good luck OP! Sounds like you have a solid case based on what everyone's saying here. Performance issues definitely aren't the same as misconduct.

One last tip - make sure you're ready to start your job search requirements right away if you get approved. Washington ESD requires you to be actively looking for work and you'll need to log your job search activities.

Really hope everything works out for you OP. Being fired is stressful enough without having to worry about whether you can get unemployment benefits. Sounds like you should be fine based on what you've described.