How does an employee filing for unemployment affect the employer - Washington ESD impact questions

Your employer's unemployment insurance tax rate can be affected by claims filed against them. Washington ESD uses what's called an 'experience rating' system - basically, the more claims filed against a company, the higher their tax rate goes. But this shouldn't stop you from filing if you're eligible. That's what the system is there for.

The employer gets notified when you file and they can contest your claim if they think you're not eligible. They have to provide information about why you left or had hours reduced. But if it's a legitimate layoff or hour reduction, they usually don't fight it.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months trying to get through to someone about my claim status. If you're having trouble reaching them by phone, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

Your manager is being manipulative. Yes, claims affect their tax rate, but that's literally how the unemployment insurance system works. They pay premiums when times are good so benefits are available when times are bad. Don't let them guilt you out of filing.

I filed last year when my restaurant closed temporarily and my old boss tried the same guilt trip. Turns out their tax rate barely changed because they had a good history with few claims. File if you need it - that's your right as an employee who had taxes taken out for this exact purpose.

There's also a waiting period where the employer can provide additional information if they think the claim isn't valid. But for hour reductions, it's usually pretty straightforward - you're partially unemployed through no fault of your own.

The bottom line is that unemployment benefits exist for exactly your situation. Your employer has been paying unemployment insurance taxes precisely so that benefits would be available when needed. Don't let them make you feel guilty for using a system they're required to participate in.

Just make sure you're honest on your application about your work situation. If your hours were cut involuntarily, that's a legitimate reason for partial unemployment benefits. Washington ESD will verify everything with your employer anyway.

I'm an HR manager and I can tell you that most employers understand that unemployment claims are part of doing business. The tax rate increase is usually minimal unless there's a pattern of excessive claims. Your manager was probably just venting frustration about business costs in general.

Also worth noting that if you do file, you'll need to continue looking for work and report your job search activities to Washington ESD. The system is designed to help people get back to full employment, not just provide indefinite support.

Don't let your employer intimidate you. I had the same situation at my last job and my boss kept saying how expensive it would be for them. I looked it up and found out their tax rate would go up by like 0.1% or something tiny. They were being dramatic.

The whole point of unemployment insurance is risk pooling. All employers pay in when times are good so the system can pay out when times are bad. Your individual claim is a drop in the bucket compared to the overall system.

I used to work in payroll and can confirm that unemployment tax rates are based on the employer's experience rating over several years. One claim won't dramatically impact their rate unless they have a terrible track record of layoffs and claims.

If you're still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about your claim, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time compared to calling the regular number.

File your claim. Your employer has been paying unemployment insurance taxes specifically for situations like yours. It's not charity - it's an insurance program you've contributed to through your work.

The employer notification process is pretty standard. They get a form asking about your employment, wages, and reason for separation. If everything matches what you reported, there's usually no issue. Only contested claims go to adjudication.

Also remember that retaliation for filing unemployment is illegal. Your employer can't fire you or treat you differently just because you filed a claim. Not that it sounds like you have much to lose with only 8 hours a week anyway.

One last thing - make sure you understand how partial unemployment works. You can usually earn up to a certain amount before your benefits start getting reduced. Washington ESD has calculators on their website to help you figure out what you can earn.

Bottom line: file if you're eligible. Your employer's tax rate might go up slightly, but that's how the system is supposed to work. They pay when they can't provide work, and employees get support to bridge the gap. Don't let them make you feel guilty about using a system that exists for exactly your situation.