How does Washington ESD unemployment work for employers - confused about the whole process

As an employer in Washington, you'll receive a 'Notice of Application for Benefits' from Washington ESD when someone files a claim listing you as their employer. You have 10 days to respond with any information about why they left (quit vs fired, misconduct, etc.). This is super important because it affects whether they get benefits and impacts your experience rating.

The key thing to understand is that Washington ESD unemployment is an insurance program. You pay premiums based on your payroll, and your rates can go up or down based on how many claims are filed against your account. It's called 'experience rating' - basically the more claims you have, the higher your rates become.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for years and the most frustrating part is getting through to them when you need to discuss a claim. The phone lines are constantly busy and sometimes you really need to talk to someone about a complex situation. I recently started using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - they have this demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Game changer for busy employers who can't spend hours on hold.

wait so as an employer do I have to pay for unemployment benefits directly or is it just the taxes I pay?? this is confusing

Here's what you need to know: Washington ESD will send you Form 5208 (Notice of Application) when someone files. You respond with Form 5210 (Employer Response) within 10 days. Include documentation like termination notices, disciplinary records, attendance records, etc. Be factual and stick to the facts - don't editorialialize.

I fired someone last month for stealing and they filed for unemployment anyway!! Can you believe that? Now I have to deal with Washington ESD and prove they were terminated for misconduct. This system is so frustrating.

One thing people don't realize is that you can appeal Washington ESD decisions if you disagree. If they approve benefits and you think they shouldn't have, you have 30 days to file an appeal. Goes to an administrative law judge for a hearing.

Another tip for employers - make sure you're registered for Washington ESD's online services. You can check your account, view claims, submit responses electronically. Much easier than dealing with paper forms and mail delays.

my experience with washington esd has been terrible they approved benefits for someone who quit without notice and didnt even look at the evidence i sent them

The seasonal employer rules are different too if that applies to your business. Some seasonal businesses can get a different rate structure or have claims charged differently. Worth looking into if you have seasonal fluctuations.

Washington ESD also audits employers periodically to make sure you're paying the right amount of taxes and classifying workers correctly. Independent contractors vs employees is a big issue - make sure you're classifying people correctly or you could owe back taxes.

Been an employer for 15 years and honestly the Washington ESD system isn't that bad once you understand it. The key is responding promptly and keeping good records. Most problems come from employers who ignore the notices or don't provide enough documentation.

I had a situation where an employee was laid off but then found another job before their first unemployment payment. Washington ESD still charged the claim to my account even though no benefits were paid. Had to fight that one.

Speaking of reaching Washington ESD, I mentioned Claimyr earlier but wanted to add that it's been especially helpful for complex employer situations where you really need to discuss details with an agent. Much better than the generic online forms for nuanced cases.

Don't forget about the work search requirements either. If you're contesting a claim, sometimes Washington ESD will approve it but the person still has to meet work search requirements to keep getting benefits. That's between them and Washington ESD though.

this whole thread has been really helpful! I'm starting my first business next year and had no idea about any of this employer stuff with unemployment.

One last thing - keep in mind that Washington ESD decisions can affect your business reputation too. If you contest every claim just to be difficult, word gets around. Only contest when you have legitimate grounds.

The whole experience rating thing can really add up over time. I know employers who saw their rates double because they didn't contest questionable claims early in their business. It's worth paying attention to.

Great discussion everyone. The main takeaways for new employers: 1) Respond to Washington ESD notices within 10 days, 2) Keep good employment records, 3) Contest invalid claims to protect your experience rating, 4) Use the online system when possible, 5) Appeal if you disagree with decisions. Washington ESD isn't perfect but the system works if you understand it.

And remember, if you do need to reach Washington ESD by phone for complex issues, services like Claimyr can save you hours of hold time. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to get things sorted out properly.