Can you qualify for Washington ESD unemployment if you resign from your job?

Yes, you can qualify for Washington ESD unemployment even if you resign, but only under specific circumstances. It's called 'good cause' and includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, discrimination, or significant changes to your job duties or pay. You'll need to document everything thoroughly because Washington ESD will investigate your claim during adjudication.

I quit my job last year due to harassment and got approved for UI benefits. The key is proving you had 'good cause' to quit. Washington ESD considers things like discrimination, unsafe conditions, or significant changes to your job that weren't agreed upon. But fair warning - they will put your claim into adjudication and investigate thoroughly.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to discuss your specific situation, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help people get connected to actual ESD agents without spending hours on hold. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helpful when you need to talk to someone about complex eligibility questions like yours.

Just be aware that if Washington ESD determines you didn't have good cause to quit, you'll be disqualified from receiving benefits. The burden of proof is on you to show why quitting was justified. Common good cause reasons include workplace safety violations, harassment, discrimination, or your employer significantly changing your job without agreement.

honestly this whole system is so confusing, i quit my last job because my boss was terrible and they denied my claim saying i didnt have good cause. now im broke and cant find work

The specific good cause reasons recognized by Washington ESD include: workplace harassment or discrimination, unsafe working conditions, employer violating labor laws, significant reduction in hours or pay, employer requiring you to work in illegal activities, or domestic violence situations. Each case is evaluated individually during adjudication.

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses. It sounds like I need to start documenting everything immediately if I'm considering this route. The harassment situation at my workplace has been escalating and I'm not sure how much more I can handle.

One more thing to consider - even if you think you have good cause, Washington ESD's adjudication process can be unpredictable. I've seen cases where people with solid documentation still got denied initially. If that happens, don't give up - the appeal process exists for a reason and many decisions get overturned at the hearing level.

My sister went through this exact situation last year. She quit due to a hostile work environment and Washington ESD initially denied her claim. She had to appeal and go through a hearing, but eventually won because she had emails and witness statements. The whole process took about 3 months though.

The adjudication process for voluntary quit cases is really thorough. They'll contact your former employer and ask for their side of the story too. Make sure you're prepared for them to potentially dispute your version of events. Having witnesses who can back up your claims is really valuable.

Whatever you do, don't just walk out without notice unless it's truly an emergency situation. Washington ESD looks more favorably on cases where you tried to resolve the issue through proper channels first. Give your employer a chance to fix the problem if possible.

Been there done that - quit my job due to safety issues and got UI benefits after a long fight. The key is being specific about why your situation meets Washington ESD's definition of good cause. Vague complaints about a 'bad boss' won't cut it, but documented safety violations or harassment will.

Just want to add that if you do decide to quit and file for unemployment, you'll still need to meet all the other UI requirements - looking for work, being available for work, etc. Some people think that because they quit for good cause they don't have to do the job search requirements, but that's not true.

This whole thread is super helpful. I'm in a similar situation with a toxic workplace and have been afraid to quit because I thought I'd automatically be disqualified from unemployment. Sounds like it's possible but requires a lot of preparation and documentation.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you win your appeal, there might be a waiting period before benefits start. Washington ESD sometimes imposes waiting periods for voluntary quit cases even when good cause is established. Just something to factor into your financial planning.

If anyone needs help actually getting through to Washington ESD to discuss their specific situation, I mentioned Claimyr earlier but wanted to emphasize how useful it's been. The regular ESD phone system is basically impossible to navigate, but with Claimyr you can actually talk to someone who can explain how good cause determinations work for your specific circumstances.

The bottom line is yes, you can get unemployment if you quit, but it's not easy and the burden of proof is entirely on you. Washington ESD assumes that voluntary quits don't qualify unless you can prove otherwise. Make sure you have a rock-solid case with plenty of documentation before you make the leap.

Just remember that Washington ESD takes these investigations seriously. They'll interview you, your former employer, and potentially witnesses. Be honest and consistent in your statements because any contradictions will hurt your case. The truth is your best friend in these situations.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Workplace harassment is serious and no one should have to endure it just to keep their job. Whether you decide to quit and file for UI or pursue other options, make sure you're taking care of your mental health too.

I went through a similar situation about two years ago and want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned much - timing matters a lot. If you can show that you made reasonable attempts to resolve the situation over a period of time before quitting, it really strengthens your case. In my situation, I documented issues for about 6 weeks, went through proper channels, gave my employer time to address the problems, and only quit when it became clear nothing would change. Washington ESD viewed this favorably during adjudication because it showed I didn't just quit impulsively. Also, consider reaching out to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries if safety issues are involved - having an official complaint on record can really bolster your unemployment claim.