ESD appeal tomorrow - cut hours not mentioned in denial, only hostile work environment - need hearing advice

You're actually in a good position here. A 25% or greater reduction in hours IS considered good cause to quit in Washington. The judge will have access to all your submitted documentation, but you need to be very clear and direct during the hearing about your primary reason being the hours reduction. Some tips: 1. Have your evidence organized and ready to reference (pay stubs showing before/after hours) 2. When asked why you quit, immediately state "My hours were reduced by approximately 50%, from 40 to 18-22 hours weekly" 3. Be prepared to explain WHY you mentioned the hostile work environment (it was secondary but added to your stress) 4. Stay calm and factual - avoid emotional arguments 5. If the employer argues you could have managed with reduced hours, be ready to explain the financial impact The law is on your side with the hours reduction. Just make sure the judge understands this was your primary reason for leaving.

I had SAME PROBLEM last year! my hours got cut from 35 to 15 and they fokused on some other stuff in my claim. during my phone hearing the judge asked me "why did u quit" and i panicked and talked bout my boss being mean for like 5 mins before mentioning hours...BIG MISTAKE! lost my appeal cause i didnt emphasize the right thing first. dont do what i did!!

The 25% reduction in hours is absolutely good cause to voluntarily quit under WAC 192-150-120. The fact that the determination letter doesn't mention it is concerning but not fatal to your case. The Administrative Law Judge will review all evidence and make a fresh determination. I recommend writing down a clear timeline of events: 1. Original hours/schedule 2. When and how the reduction occurred 3. Any conversations with management about the reduction 4. When you gave notice and specifically what you said Keep responses brief and focused. If asked about the hostile work environment, acknowledge it was a factor but emphasize the hours reduction was the primary reason for leaving. The documentation you've submitted will support your case, but your verbal testimony needs to be consistent with it. The judge may ask hypothetical questions like "Would you have stayed if only the hours had been reduced but the environment was positive?" Be prepared for these types of questions.

I'm so confused by ESD sometimes!!! They totally ignore the main issue and focus on something else. I went through this nightmare for 3 MONTHS trying to get someone to actually READ my whole claim! Couldn't get through to anyone on the phone - just constant busy signals and disconnects. Finally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD agent within 20 minutes when I'd been trying for WEEKS! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 If you need to talk to ESD about anything after your hearing (or if hearing gets postponed), it might save you some sanity. Good luck with your appeal!

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!! These ESD people don't care about your actual reasons, they just look for ANY excuse to deny benefits. They ALWAYS side with employers because employers pay into the system. I had SIX appeals before I finally won. Hours reduction is supposed to be an automatic approval but they'll try to twist your words during the hearing to make it sound like you quit for other reasons. WATCH OUT for trick questions and RECORD THE CALL if Washington is a one-party consent state (which I think it is). Don't let them bully you!!!!

when i had my hearing for a similar issue i made sure to repeat my main point several times throughout - "as i mentioned earlier, the 50% reduction in hours made it impossible to pay my bills" etc. this helps because sometimes they're taking notes and might miss something. also dress professionally even though it's phone only (sounds silly but it put me in the right mindset). good luck!!

One more important tip - at the end of the hearing, the judge will typically ask if you have anything else to add. Use this opportunity to briefly summarize your main points: 1. You quit primarily because your hours were reduced by approximately 50% 2. This reduction exceeds the 25% threshold established in WAC 192-150-120 3. The reduction made it financially impossible to continue the employment 4. You've provided documentation proving the reduction Keep it under 60 seconds, be respectful, and thank the judge for their time. This final summary can be very effective as it's often the last thing they'll remember when making their decision.

make sure u tell us how it goes!!! good luck!!