Do I have to pay unemployment insurance as an employee in Washington?

Yes, it's completely mandatory in Washington state. All employees pay into the unemployment insurance system through payroll deductions. You can't opt out - it's required by law just like Social Security taxes.

The deduction you're seeing is probably for both unemployment insurance and family leave. Washington has a combined premium that covers unemployment benefits and paid family/medical leave. The rate changes each year but it's typically around 0.6% of your wages.

Your previous employers were probably deducting it too, you just didn't notice. It's been required in every state for decades. Check your old paystubs if you still have them - it might have been listed under a different name.

At least you're paying attention to your paystub! I went years without realizing what all those deductions were for. The good news is that paying in now means you'll be eligible for benefits if you ever need them.

If you're concerned about the amount being deducted, you can check Washington ESD's website for the current rates. They publish the exact percentages each year so you can verify your employer is calculating it correctly.

Welcome to the world of payroll taxes! Wait until you see all the other 'mandatory' deductions you'll encounter throughout your career.

One thing to keep in mind - if you ever need to file for unemployment, having these contributions in your work history is what makes you eligible. Washington ESD looks at your earnings and contributions over the past year to determine your benefit amount.

The family leave part is actually pretty generous compared to other states. You can use it for bonding with a new baby, caring for sick family members, or your own medical issues.

Just think of it as insurance - you pay a little bit each paycheck so that if something happens (layoff, family emergency, etc.) you have some financial protection.

If you're really curious about how the system works, Washington ESD has a lot of information on their website about contribution rates, benefit calculations, and how the whole program is funded.

Don't feel bad about not knowing - a lot of people don't understand payroll deductions until they start paying attention to them. It's all part of the social safety net.

At least Washington's unemployment system is pretty well-run compared to some other states. When I needed to file a claim a few years ago, the process was relatively straightforward.

Bottom line - yes it's mandatory, yes it's legal, and yes it's actually a good thing to have even though it feels like just another deduction from your paycheck.