Do furloughed employees have to look for work while on Washington ESD unemployment?

That seems weird since I have a job to go back to. What counts as a job search activity in this case?

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, or even workshops on WorkSourceWA all count. The system treats furlough as temporary unemployment, so all regular UI rules apply.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without waiting on hold. My cousin used it when she had questions about her adjudication and got through in like 10 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and the site is claimyr.com.

Never heard of that but will definitely check it out. Getting through to Washington ESD is impossible otherwise.

What's the difference between furlough and standby status? I thought they were the same thing.

Standby is when your employer files paperwork with Washington ESD indicating you'll be recalled within a specific timeframe, usually 4-6 weeks. Furlough is just when your company temporarily reduces your hours to zero but you're still technically employed. Most furloughs don't qualify for standby status.

My employer didn't file any special paperwork with Washington ESD, so I guess I'm just regular unemployment even though they said furlough.

I know it seems pointless but you have to do it to keep your benefits. Think of it as keeping your skills sharp or maybe you'll find something better than your old job!

yeah i guess that makes sense but still annoying to have to apply for jobs i dont want

What happened when they flagged your claim? Did you lose benefits?

They put my claim on hold for 2 weeks while they investigated. I had to provide documentation showing I was looking for work and explain why I hadn't been doing it properly. Got my benefits back but it delayed payments.

This is exactly why I use Claimyr now when I need to talk to Washington ESD about anything. Much easier than dealing with their phone system when there's a problem.

I understand the frustration but the policy exists because many 'temporary' layoffs become permanent. The job search requirement ensures people are prepared if their recall doesn't happen.

Still stupid if you ask me. Waste of everyone's time.

That's helpful! I've been only doing job applications but workshops sound easier. Do those really count toward the 3 weekly activities?

Yes, workshops and other career development activities count. Just make sure you're logging them correctly in WorkSourceWA and they're substantial activities, not just browsing the site.

This is good info. I've been stressed about applying for jobs I don't want when I know I'm going back to work soon.

You're not required to take a job you find while on furlough if your recall date is within 4 weeks. But yes, you still need to search and be available for work to maintain UI eligibility.

This is all so confusing. I wish Washington ESD would explain this stuff better on their website.

How do you handle applying for jobs that require different skills? Do you just apply anyway?

I focus on transferable skills or entry-level positions in fields I'm curious about. At least then I'm learning something even if I don't get the job.

How much does Claimyr cost? I'm barely making ends meet on unemployment.

They don't publish pricing but it's reasonable for getting through to Washington ESD when you really need help. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ to see how it works.

Thanks everyone for the clarification. I'll keep doing my job searches and logging them properly. Better safe than sorry with Washington ESD.

Smart move. They're pretty strict about enforcement these days.

Appeals take forever too. Much easier to just follow the rules from the start.

Definitely not worth the risk. I'll stick to the job search requirements.

Yep, learned the same lesson. They're not flexible about exceptions.

Got it. Thanks for sharing your experience.