Do companies have to pay for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD system?

So they're basically paying into a pool that everyone draws from? That makes more sense than what I was thinking.

exactly, and companies with more claims against them typically pay higher rates

Interesting! So there is some incentive for companies to avoid layoffs beyond just losing good workers.

That's why some companies fight unemployment claims so hard - they're trying to keep their rates down

wait companies can fight claims?? how does that work

How much does something like that cost? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to ESD.

I totally get that frustration, but honestly after spending weeks trying to get through on my own, it was worth it to finally talk to someone who could explain my situation.

What counts as misconduct? Like if you're late a few times or make mistakes?

It has to be pretty serious - willful violations of company policy, theft, violence, that kind of thing. Just poor performance usually doesn't qualify as misconduct.

The unemployment system has been around for decades and keeps getting more complex with new rules and requirements. It's definitely not user-friendly.

The basic idea is simple though - companies pay in, workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own get temporary benefits while job searching.

That's really helpful context! Do you know if the rates vary a lot between industries?

Yes, industries with seasonal work or high turnover (like construction or hospitality) typically have higher base rates

makes sense why restaurants always seem to fight claims so hard

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get anyone at ESD to explain what was happening or what I needed to do.

Did they actually help you get through to someone? I've called hundreds of times and either get busy signals or get disconnected.

Yeah, they got me connected to an actual adjudication specialist who walked me through my case. Finally got my claim approved after that conversation.

If you were legitimately laid off due to lack of work, they can't successfully contest it. But they might try anyway to discourage you from filing. You should definitely file if you qualify.

Document everything about your layoff - emails, notices, anything showing it was due to business reasons and not your performance.

Is there a way to look up what rate your employer pays? Just curious how much my claim might affect them.

Individual employer rate information isn't public, but you can find general rate schedules on the ESD website under employer resources.

Small businesses do feel the impact more because they have fewer employees to spread the costs across. But it's a required cost of doing business.

The taxes are calculated as a percentage of wages up to a certain limit, so it's predictable. Sounds like your boss might be exaggerating or has had a lot of turnover.

Poor performance alone usually doesn't disqualify you from unemployment unless it rises to the level of willful misconduct. Budget-related terminations should qualify you for benefits.

How do I prove it was really about budget cuts if they're claiming performance issues?

Look for evidence like company-wide layoffs, financial difficulties, reduced hours across departments, or communications about cost-cutting measures.

Right? I learned a lot too. The whole system makes more sense when you understand how it's funded.

No, they still pay their regular unemployment insurance taxes regardless. Contesting is about whether YOU get benefits, not whether THEY pay taxes.

oh ok that makes sense i was confused about that

That's encouraging! How long did the contest process take?

First time was about 8 weeks, second time only 4 weeks. It really depends on how backed up the adjudication department is.

I'm seriously considering this. Six weeks of calling every day and getting disconnected is driving me crazy.

I was in the same boat. The specialist they connected me with actually looked at my file while I was on the phone and explained exactly what was holding up my claim.

Good point! FUTA is a separate federal requirement. Employers pay both state and federal unemployment taxes for each employee.

Exactly! It's called experience rating. Companies that rarely have unemployment claims pay lower rates than those with high turnover.

It's meant to incentivize companies to maintain stable employment and only lay people off when absolutely necessary.

Same here! This thread has been really educational about how the whole system actually works.

That's a great way to think about it. Makes the whole system much clearer when you frame it as insurance rather than just government benefits.

And like any insurance, if you have more claims, your premiums go up. Pretty straightforward business model.

Glad we could help! The unemployment system can be confusing but it's important to understand your rights and how it all works.

And remember, if you ever need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation, there are resources like Claimyr that can help you get through when the regular phone lines are jammed.