Can you quit your job and still get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

I sent two emails to HR describing the situation but they just said it was a 'personality conflict' and to try working it out directly with my supervisor.

That's actually helpful documentation. Keep those HR emails - Washington ESD will want to see you made good faith efforts to resolve the issue before quitting.

How long did the adjudication process take? I'm worried about the gap between quitting and getting benefits approved.

About 3 weeks for me, but I had really solid documentation. Start saving up some money if you can because there's always that waiting period.

Thanks, I'll look into that. The Washington ESD phone system is impossible to navigate when you actually need help.

Wait, you have to pay for that service though right? Seems like Washington ESD should just answer their own phones.

Yeah the system is frustrating, but when you need answers about something this important it's worth it to actually talk to someone who knows the rules.

I didn't know L&I complaints could help with unemployment eligibility. Would I file that first or quit first?

File the L&I complaint first if possible. It creates an official record that your employer was violating labor laws, which supports your 'good cause' argument to Washington ESD.

Schedule changes that interfere with childcare can qualify as good cause, especially if they're unreasonable or done without proper notice. Document every last-minute change.

ok good because i have texts from my manager changing my shifts with like 2 hours notice. thats definitely not reasonable

That's risky though - what if they don't fire me and the situation just keeps getting worse? I'm already having panic attacks on Sunday nights thinking about Monday.

I tried that approach and it just prolonged the misery. Sometimes you have to prioritize your mental health and trust that you can make the good cause argument work.

Fair point. Just make sure you have everything documented before you make the jump.

That's what I'm worried about. The adjudication period could leave me without income for weeks right when I need it most.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr can be helpful - you can actually talk to someone at Washington ESD to understand the timeline for your specific situation before you make the decision to quit.

What specific things should I be documenting? I have some stuff but want to make sure I'm not missing anything important.

Dates, times, witnesses present, exact quotes if possible, your response to each incident, and any attempts you made to resolve the situation through proper channels.

Agreed, it's a terrible position to be in. Thanks for the support though, it helps to know others understand how impossible this situation feels.

Good point. Should I mention the panic attacks or keep it focused on the workplace behavior?

Include the health impacts if you have medical documentation. It shows the severity of the situation and supports your good cause argument.

That's encouraging to hear! Did you have a lawyer or handle everything yourself?

handled it myself but did use that claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to actually talk to someone at washington esd about my case. way better than trying to call on your own

Right, I'll need to start job searching immediately. Do they require a specific number of job contacts per week?

It varies but typically 3-5 job search activities per week. Keep detailed records because they audit randomly.

I hadn't thought of that. Would talking to a lawyer before quitting help with the unemployment case?

It could. If an attorney identifies legal violations, that creates additional documentation supporting your good cause argument to Washington ESD.

Good advice. Even though they don't deserve it, I should take the high road for my own protection.

How long does the appeal process typically take? This could drag on for months.

Appeals usually take 4-6 weeks, but if you win you get back pay from when you first filed. That's why having that Claimyr service to talk to someone about your specific case timeline is helpful.

I didn't think of it that way. Their dismissive response actually helps prove my case that I had no other options.

That's smart. I can probably start applying for jobs discreetly while I'm still employed.

Thanks! Hope the advice helps you too. It's awful that so many people are dealing with toxic work environments.

Of course they would contest it. That's exactly the kind of thing this company would do. More reason to have rock-solid documentation.

Good plan! You're taking all the right steps to protect yourself. Best of luck with everything.

You've got this! Having a solid exit strategy makes all the difference.