ESD disqualified me after pay/hours cut - employer claims 'personal reasons' for quitting - help with appeal?

Good questions! To answer your second one first - yes, employers definitely have a financial incentive to fight UI claims. Their unemployment insurance tax rate is directly affected by how many former employees receive benefits (called 'experience rating'). When employees collect benefits, their rate can go up substantially, especially for smaller businesses. So your struggling former employer absolutely has a financial motivation to misrepresent your separation. As for your first question, there is NO explicit requirement that you must inform your employer in writing of your reason for quitting. However, for appeals purposes, having written documentation always strengthens your case. The burden of proof is on you to demonstrate that you had "good cause" for voluntarily leaving employment. For your hearing, bring: 1) The letter showing your pay/hours reduction 2) Any emails/texts discussing your attempts to return to full-time 3) Financial documents showing how the 25% reduction affected your ability to meet expenses 4) Calendar notes of verbal conversations about wanting full hours The 25% reduction is significant enough to potentially qualify as "good cause" for quitting, especially if you can document that you tried to resolve the issue before resigning.

i went thru similar thing last yr & won my appeal. esd doesn't care that u didnt put reason in resignation letter. important part is u can PROVE the pay cut happened (u have letter!) and that u tried to fix problem b4 quitting. judge asked me if i tried to fix the situation b4 leaving & why i stayed 3 months after pay cut. just be honest that u hoped things would improve & needed work. 25% is def considered substantial reduction, ur appeal should go good!!

TOTAL BS what your employer is doing!!!! I hate how these companies get away with this garbage. They cut your hours, then lie to ESD? And WE are the ones who have to jump through hoops? The system is rigged against workers! My sister had something kinda similar happen and the stupid OAH judge sided with the employer because she "didn't have enough documentation" even though it was OBVIOUS why she quit. These hearings are a joke sometimes.

Hey try claimyr.com to talk to esd before ur appeal. i was in adjudication for 2 months not getting thru to anyone, then used their service and got connected to an esd agent in like 20 min. they have a video showing how it works https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - might help to talk to someone at esd directly before your hearing to see what exactly your employer said about you

wait so u worked for 3 months after the pay cut? thats a long time, they might use that against u just saying. like why did u accept it for so long if it was really so bad? just something to think about how ull answer that

I went through literally the EXACT same situation in 2023! Had my hours cut by 30%, stayed for about 2 months hoping things would improve, then quit. Employer told ESD I quit to "pursue other opportunities" which was a complete lie. For the appeal hearing, I recommend: 1. Request all documents ESD has about your claim BEFORE the hearing (you have the right to see what your employer submitted) 2. Have a clear timeline written out of when your hours were cut, when you discussed it with management, and why you ultimately resigned 3. Calculate exactly how much money you lost monthly due to the reduction 4. Be prepared to explain why you stayed for 3 months (the judge will definitely ask) 5. Bring a witness if possible I won my appeal because I had evidence of the reduction and could prove I tried to resolve it before quitting. The 25% reduction should qualify as good cause - just be prepared to thoroughly explain your side.

To directly answer your first question: No, RCW 50.20.050 (the voluntary quit statute) does not explicitly require written notification to your employer of your reason for quitting. However, case precedent from the Commissioner's decisions clearly establishes that you must demonstrate you made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment before quitting. Your second question: Washington State uses an experience-rated UI tax system. Employers' tax rates range from 0.1% to 5.7% of taxable wages, based largely on how many former employees collect benefits. So yes, your employer has a direct financial incentive to contest your claim. A 25% reduction in hours/wages generally meets the threshold for "good cause" to quit, provided you can show: 1) The reduction was substantial (which 25% certainly is) 2) You attempted to resolve the issue before quitting 3) You didn't effectively consent to the new arrangement by continuing too long without objection The fact that you stayed 3 months could be problematic, but if you can document your ongoing attempts to restore your hours during that period, it should help your case.

my cousin works at esd and she says they always side with employers nowadays... system is broken

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I've been taking notes and feel much better prepared for my appeal hearing now. I'll definitely organize my evidence showing the pay cut and my attempts to resolve it before quitting. I'm still trying to reach someone at ESD to find out exactly what my employer claimed, but it's nearly impossible to get through on the phone. Might try that Claimyr service if I can't get through in the next few days.