How can you get Washington ESD unemployment if fired from your job?

What counts as misconduct exactly? I was never written up officially, just verbal warnings about my speed.

Misconduct has to be willful and substantial. Poor performance due to inability rather than unwillingness typically doesn't disqualify you. The fact you complained about safety issues could actually work in your favor.

How long does adjudication usually take? I'm already behind on bills.

Can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks unfortunately. But if you're approved, you'll get back pay from when you filed your initial claim.

How much does that cost? I can barely afford groceries right now.

It's worth it to get your claim moving. Way better than calling hundreds of times and getting nowhere. Plus if you get approved you'll have steady income again.

Never heard of that service but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

I have some text messages between me and my coworker about the safety concerns. Would those help?

Absolutely! Anything that shows you were acting in good faith and not being insubordinate. Screenshots are your friend.

That gives me hope! Did you have to do anything special during the appeal process?

just told the truth and provided my documentation. the fact that you complained about safety shows you were looking out for everyone not just causing trouble

My manager did say something like that when I got fired. Makes sense they'd try to discourage people.

Classic scare tactic. Companies pay unemployment insurance premiums and don't want their rates to go up from claims.

What if they claim you violated company policy though?

Policy violations can be misconduct but it depends on the severity and whether you knew about the policy. Minor infractions typically don't disqualify you.

Already started the application but got confused about some of the questions regarding why I left my job.

Be honest but stick to facts. Say you were terminated for performance issues but explain your perspective about the safety complaints.

Do I need to do job searches even if my claim might get denied?

Yes, if you're filing weekly claims you need to meet all requirements including job search. Better to be prepared than scramble later.

Did she have to provide any special documentation or just her testimony?

She had kept screenshots of the group chat where the manager was pressuring everyone to work unpaid. Really helped her case.

Is it really that much better than just calling yourself?

Night and day difference. Regular number I'd call 50+ times and maybe get through once. This actually connects you to real people who can help.

How will I know if they contest it? Do they notify me?

You'll get a notice in your eServices account and possibly by mail. It will explain the next steps in the adjudication process.

How long did the appeal take for you?

about 6 weeks from filing the appeal to getting the hearing scheduled. was stressful but worth it when they overturned the decision

Should I mention that specifically in my claim or wait for the adjudication interview?

Mention it in your initial claim for sure. Any evidence that the termination was retaliatory rather than performance-based strengthens your case significantly.

What kind of questions do they typically ask during those interviews?

They'll want details about the incidents leading to termination, your work history, any warnings you received, and your version of events. Timeline is important.

That's reassuring. I was worried they'd just automatically side with the employer.

Nope, they investigate thoroughly. Your complaint about safety issues actually shows you were trying to protect everyone, not cause problems.

Even if I'm not sure if I qualify yet?

Absolutely. The worst that happens is you don't get approved. But if you don't file weekly claims and then get approved later, you lose those weeks forever.

I'm definitely considering it if this drags on much longer. The uncertainty is killing me.

Yeah the waiting is the worst part. At least if you can talk to someone you know what's happening with your case.

Thank you everyone for all the advice. Feeling much more confident about moving forward with this now.

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes. These situations are way more common than people think.

Already started tracking my applications. Better safe than sorry.

Smart approach. Shows Washington ESD you're serious about getting back to work while dealing with this situation.