Does company pay for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD system?

So the money comes from a general fund, not specifically from my employer? That makes more sense.

exactly! its like insurance - everyone pays in, benefits come out of the pool

Is that why some employers try to fight unemployment claims? To keep their rates down?

Yes, some employers will contest claims to avoid rate increases. They have the right to respond to Washington ESD about the circumstances of your separation.

my old boss tried to say i quit when i was laid off, had to appeal and everything

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money waiting for my claim to process.

It was worth it for me since I was getting nowhere with the regular phone system. Sometimes you need help navigating the Washington ESD bureaucracy.

Employers have legitimate reasons to contest sometimes, like if someone was fired for theft or violated company policy. But medical issues should be protected.

That's what I thought too! I had medical documentation and everything. Washington ESD adjudication is taking forever to review it.

Have you tried calling to check on your adjudication status? Sometimes they need additional information.

so basically the more people an employer lays off, the higher their taxes?

Not exactly. It's based on the total amount of benefits charged to their account over a specific period. Layoffs due to lack of work are different from discharges for misconduct.

If you're laid off due to lack of work, that's not misconduct and you should qualify for benefits. Don't let employer pressure stop you from filing if you're eligible.

good to know, they've been cutting everyone's hours but acting like its temporary

You might be eligible for partial unemployment benefits if your hours are reduced. Worth checking with Washington ESD about standby status.

Seasonal employers can elect to use a different rate calculation method. Construction companies often have special provisions in the Washington unemployment system.

That makes sense. I was worried I was hurting my employer by filing every year.

I thought the same thing at first! The whole system is pretty confusing when you're dealing with it for the first time.

right?? and trying to call washington esd to ask questions is impossible

So when I do my weekly claim online, that information only goes to Washington ESD?

Correct. Your employer might get notified if there are issues with your claim, but your weekly certifications are between you and Washington ESD.

Getting through to Washington ESD can be a nightmare. That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - saved me so much time and frustration trying to reach an actual person.

Is that service legit? I'm desperate to talk to someone about my adjudication case.

Yeah it worked for me. They basically help you get through the phone system faster. Check out their demo video if you want to see how it works.

It's more nuanced than that. Responsible employers budget for unemployment taxes as a cost of doing business. It's the ones trying to avoid their obligations that create problems.

yeah my current job seems pretty straight up about it, its the sketchy places that try to fight everything

Yes, partial unemployment benefits are still charged to the employer's account. The amount depends on how much you receive in benefits.

Good to know. At least I'm still working some, so the impact should be less than full unemployment.

Washington ESD uses a three-year experience rating period to calculate employer tax rates. So it's not just one year, but it's not permanent either.

That seems fair - gives employers incentive to avoid unnecessary layoffs but doesn't punish them forever for economic downturns.

Generally you can't get unemployment if you quit without good cause. There are exceptions for things like unsafe working conditions or harassment.

oh that makes sense, otherwise everyone would just quit and collect benefits

Exactly. The system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Congratulations! How long did the whole process take from start to finish?

About 6 weeks total. Way too long but at least it worked out. Now I understand why employers contest claims even when they know they're wrong.

glad it worked out! the adjudication wait is always nerve wracking

might have to try that if my hours dont pick back up soon. thanks for the recommendation

No problem. The phone system is just impossible otherwise. Hope your situation improves!

Same here! This was exactly the kind of breakdown I needed. Appreciate everyone taking the time to explain.

Happy to help. The Washington ESD system can be confusing but it's important to understand your rights and how it all works.

Ha! Same boat here. At least now I know my employer expects it and probably budgets for it.

exactly, makes the whole thing less awkward when everyone knows its just part of the seasonal cycle

Great advice. I'm definitely going to be more prepared if I ever need to file in the future.

Absolutely agree about documentation. Having my medical records made all the difference in my case.

seriously! way better than trying to decode government websites

The Washington ESD website has good info but it's not always written in plain English. Glad we could help break it down.