Does raising minimum wage cause unemployment - worried about my Washington ESD claim timing

The relationship between minimum wage and unemployment is complex and economists debate it constantly. What matters more for your Washington ESD claim is meeting your job search requirements consistently. Focus on documenting your job contacts properly in WorkSourceWA rather than worrying about macroeconomic trends you can't control.

honestly ive been looking for work for 6 months and havent noticed any difference when wages went up last time. employers were still hiring just maybe being more picky about experience

I was in a similar situation last year worrying about economic factors affecting my job search. The truth is, Washington ESD only cares that you're actively looking and meeting requirements. I spent weeks stressing about things I couldn't control instead of focusing on my applications. If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD directly about your concerns, I found claimyr.com really helpful for getting through to an actual agent. They have a service that helps you connect with Washington ESD phone representatives without waiting on hold forever. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED! They raise wages to look good but then businesses just cut hours or don't hire at all. Meanwhile we're stuck jumping through hoops for our measly unemployment checks while politicians pat themselves on the back.

Quick question - are you making sure to report any odd jobs or gig work on your weekly claims? Even small amounts of income need to be reported to Washington ESD.

I remember when the minimum wage went up in 2019, there was all this doom and gloom talk but I didn't see mass layoffs or anything. Most businesses adapted. Your bigger concern should be whether you're in the right job market for your skills.

My sister works in HR and she says minimum wage increases usually affect entry-level positions most. If you have experience, you should be fine. Just make sure your resume highlights your value to employers.

has anyone else had problems with the worksourcewa website? mine keeps logging me out when im trying to save job contacts

Economic theory aside, what really matters is adapting to market conditions. If employers are being more selective due to wage increases, you need to make yourself more competitive. This might mean updating skills, improving your interview technique, or expanding your geographic search area.

This whole debate reminds me of when I was worried about automation taking jobs in my field. Spent so much time stressing about things I couldn't control that I almost missed some good opportunities. The job market is always changing - just focus on what you can do today.

From what I've read, Washington state has had several minimum wage increases over the years and unemployment rates haven't skyrocketed. There are so many factors that affect hiring - wage rates are just one piece of the puzzle.

I've been using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it's been a game changer for reaching Washington ESD. Finally got through to ask about my adjudication status that had been pending for weeks. Worth checking out if you need to speak with someone directly.

Anyone else notice that job postings seem to have higher requirements lately? Not sure if it's related to wage increases or just general market conditions, but employers seem to want more experience for entry-level positions.

The most important thing is maintaining your eligibility while you search. Make sure you're available for work, actively searching, and filing your weekly claims on time. Economic policy debates won't matter if you lose your benefits due to a missed filing deadline.

fwiw i know someone who got a job right after the last wage increase. company said they were hiring because they expected more business from people having more spending money. its not all doom and gloom

Bottom line - you can't control wage policy but you can control your job search strategy. Focus on networking, tailoring your applications, and following up with employers. That's what will make the difference in your success.