How do employers respond to unemployment claims in Washington ESD system?

Yes, employers get automatic notification from Washington ESD when someone files a claim against their account. They have 10 days to respond with any information that might affect your eligibility. Most employers will provide details about why you left, your work performance, and whether they consider it a voluntary quit or termination for cause.

Employers usually respond through the SIDES system (State Information Data Exchange System) which connects directly to Washington ESD. They'll report your last day worked, reason for separation, wages, and any misconduct allegations. If they don't respond within the 10-day window, Washington ESD processes the claim based on the information you provided.

I had a similar situation where I was worried about my employer contesting my claim. Turns out they didn't even respond! A lot of employers, especially smaller ones, don't bother with the paperwork unless it's a clear case of misconduct. If you were laid off due to lack of work or downsizing, most employers won't fight it.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months trying to get through to someone about my claim status. The phone lines are always busy and I can never reach an actual person. Recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to speak with someone about your employer's response.

From what I understand employers also report whether you were eligible for rehire and if there were any policy violations. They might include write-ups or disciplinary actions in their response. The good news is that being fired for poor performance usually doesn't disqualify you from unemployment - it has to be willful misconduct.

My employer fought my claim and said I quit when I was actually fired. It went to adjudication and took 6 weeks to resolve. Washington ESD sided with me in the end but it was stressful. Make sure you keep any documentation from your termination - emails, termination letter, anything that shows you were let go.

The employer response is just one piece of the puzzle. Washington ESD also looks at your work history, wages, and the reason for separation. If you worked there for a while and had good performance reviews, that helps your case even if your employer tries to contest it.

ugh this whole system is so confusing! why cant washington esd just make it simple instead of all this back and forth with employers?? i filed 3 weeks ago and still dont know whats happening with my claim

Most employers use third-party administrators like Equifax or TALX to handle their unemployment responses. These companies specialize in processing claims and usually respond pretty quickly with all the required information. They're pretty thorough so make sure your story is consistent.

The key thing to remember is that the employer has the burden of proof if they want to contest your claim. They need to provide evidence that you were fired for misconduct or that you quit voluntarily. If they can't prove it, Washington ESD will usually approve your claim.

One more thing - if your employer doesn't respond at all, Washington ESD will send them a second notice. If they still don't respond, your claim gets processed based on the information you provided. A lot of smaller employers miss these deadlines.

For anyone dealing with adjudication delays or needing to speak with Washington ESD about employer responses, I highly recommend checking out Claimyr. I was stuck for weeks trying to get answers about why my claim was taking so long. Used their service and finally got through to someone who could explain what was happening. Game changer honestly.