Can you receive Washington ESD unemployment if you are fired from your job?

Yes, you can potentially receive unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will determine if you were terminated for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless they were willful or repeated after warnings. Safety concerns definitely aren't misconduct - that's actually protected activity.

File your claim ASAP! Don't wait. Even if they initially deny it, you can appeal. I got fired for attendance issues (my kid was sick a lot) and they approved my claim after I explained the circumstances.

I had a similar situation where I was let go for 'performance' but it was really retaliation. The key is that Washington ESD looks at whether you were fired for misconduct connected to your work. Simply being bad at your job isn't misconduct - it has to be willful or grossly negligent behavior. Safety whistleblowing is actually protected, so you should be fine.

Wait, I thought if you got fired you couldn't get unemployment at all? That's what my old boss told me when I was having problems there.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about misconduct vs non-misconduct terminations. Basically, if you violated company policy on purpose or ignored repeated warnings, that's misconduct. But performance issues, personality conflicts, or raising legitimate concerns usually aren't misconduct.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. i got fired from my retail job for being late too many times and they denied my claim. had to appeal and it took forever

Just to clarify the process - when you file your initial claim, your employer gets notified and can contest it. If they do, it goes to adjudication where Washington ESD investigates. They'll likely contact both you and your employer to get both sides of the story. Be honest and stick to the facts.

One thing to keep in mind - even if you're approved for benefits, you still have to do the weekly job search requirements. Don't forget about that part or you could get in trouble later.

Also, file your claim online at secure.esd.wa.gov rather than trying to call. The online system is much more reliable and you can track your claim status there. You'll need to create a SecureAccess Washington account if you don't have one already.

I'm dealing with something similar right now. Got fired for 'attitude problems' but really it was because I filed a complaint with HR about my supervisor. Been waiting 3 weeks for adjudication to finish. The waiting is killing me financially.

This thread is really helpful. I had no idea the rules were this detailed. Makes me feel better about a situation I might face at my current job.

One more thing - if you do get approved for benefits, the amount is based on your wages from your base year, not your most recent job. So if you worked somewhere with higher wages before your warehouse job, that could actually help your benefit amount.

just wanted to add that if you do get denied initially, don't give up. the appeal process exists for a reason and lots of people win on appeal even if they lose the first time

The fact that you were questioning safety protocols and they called it insubordination is actually a red flag for the employer. Washington state has strong protections for workers who raise safety concerns. That's going to work in your favor during adjudication.

Update us on how it goes! This kind of info helps other people in similar situations. The more we share experiences, the better we can all navigate this system.

Quick reminder - when you file your weekly claims, make sure you're completely honest about any work you do or income you receive. Even small amounts need to be reported. Washington ESD cross-checks with employers and tax records.

Just got word that my claim was approved! The adjudicator said that firing someone for making good faith safety complaints is definitely not misconduct. Your situation sounds very similar, so I'm optimistic for you.

For anyone following this thread, I'd recommend checking out the Washington ESD handbook on their website. It explains all the misconduct criteria in detail and gives examples of what does and doesn't qualify. It's actually pretty readable for government documentation.

This has been one of the most informative threads I've read on here. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge. Makes the whole unemployment system seem less intimidating.

good luck with your claim! sounds like you have a strong case. just remember to keep copies of everything you submit and document all your communications with washington esd