Fired for insubordination - can I still collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Thanks, that's reassuring. I did document everything right after it happened. Should I include all that documentation when I file or wait until they ask for it?

Keep it all organized but submit it if they request additional information during adjudication. Washington ESD will likely contact both you and your former employer to get both sides of the story.

Six weeks of adjudication sounds scary but good to know it worked out. Did he have to do anything special during the process?

He had to submit a written statement explaining his side and provide some documentation about company safety policies. Just be thorough and honest.

Thanks for the tip! I haven't been able to get through on the phone at all. How does it work exactly?

It basically handles the calling process for you so you don't have to sit on hold forever. Pretty straightforward to use and saved me hours of frustration.

Is there a cost for something like that? Seems like it might be worth it if it actually works.

No warning at all - it happened the same day. But from what others are saying, if you have legitimate work-related reasons for your actions, it's not automatically disqualifying.

Washington ESD doesn't automatically deny claims for insubordination. They look at the specific circumstances. If you were acting in good faith regarding work duties or safety, that's different from just being defiant.

This is really helpful. Should I be preparing for this interview now or wait until they contact me?

Start preparing now. Write down a timeline of events, gather any relevant company policies, safety manuals, or documentation. The more organized you are, the better your case will be.

What kind of questions do they usually ask in these interviews?

That sounds terrible. Did you eventually get it overturned on appeal?

yeah but it took like 3 months and i almost lost my apartment. the whole system is designed to make you give up.

I'm sorry you went through that. The appeals process can be lengthy but it does work when you have good documentation and legitimate reasons.

That makes me feel better. I was following the safety manual when I raised the concern, so hopefully that helps my case.

Definitely keep a copy of that safety manual and highlight the relevant sections. That kind of documentation is exactly what Washington ESD wants to see.

Good point, I've been doing that. It feels weird filing when I don't know if I'll get approved but I'll keep doing it.

Yeah that's super important. I stopped filing during my adjudication thinking I'd wait for approval and lost 3 weeks of potential benefits.

It was a warehouse distribution center. The procedure involved lifting heavy items without proper equipment and I thought it violated our safety training.

That sounds like a legitimate safety concern. Warehouse work has specific lifting protocols and if you were trained on them, refusing to violate them isn't insubordination.

How long did the appeal process take? I'm hoping it doesn't come to that but good to know it's possible to win.

About 8 weeks total including the hearing. It's a pain but worth it if you have a good case. Just stay organized and keep all your documentation.

I'm definitely going to look into that. I've tried calling so many times and never get through.

Is it legit? I'm always skeptical of services that charge to help with government stuff.

Yeah it's legitimate. They just handle the calling process so you don't have to waste hours on hold. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

Good reminder. I've been focusing so much on the adjudication I almost forgot about the job search requirements.

Yeah they'll check that too. Use WorkSourceWA to log your activities, makes it easier to track.

That's encouraging. It really was about safety in my case too, not just being difficult.

Washington ESD does look at the bigger picture, not just the employer's version of events. That's why the adjudication process exists.

That's a good point. I'll make sure to focus on the facts and avoid getting emotional about how unfairly I was treated.

Exactly. Stick to the safety issue and company policies. Don't get sidetracked by personality conflicts or other workplace drama.

You can but most unemployment hearings don't require lawyers. The process is designed to be accessible. Focus on good documentation and clear presentation of facts.

I had a lawyer for mine but honestly the hearing officer seemed more interested in the facts than legal arguments. Probably not necessary unless it's really complicated.

Thank you! This whole thread has been really helpful. I'm feeling more confident about my case now.

You've got this! The fact that you documented everything right away shows you were thinking clearly about the situation.

That's good to know. I was worried about losing weeks while waiting for a decision.

Yeah as long as you keep filing your weekly claims, you'll get paid for all of them once it's approved. Just keep doing what you're doing.

Will do! Hopefully it's good news. This thread has given me a lot more confidence about my case.

Same here, following this thread because I might be facing something similar soon. Good luck to both of you!

I'm definitely going to try it. The regular phone system has been completely useless.

Same experience here. Could never get through until I used their service. Made the whole process much less stressful.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's easy to get discouraged but you're right - I need to stay focused on the facts and trust the process.