How does filing for unemployment affect the employer - Washington ESD

Your employer won't be directly penalized just because you file. Washington ESD determines if your claim is valid based on the reason you left. If you were laid off or let go without misconduct, it shouldn't negatively impact them much.

Employers pay unemployment insurance taxes to fund the system. Their tax rate can be affected by the number of claims filed against them, but it's not an immediate penalty. It's calculated over time based on their experience rating.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your claim, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and their website is claimyr.com. Made the whole process way less stressful.

Your employer gets notified when you file and they can contest it if they think you quit or were fired for misconduct. That's when it might affect them more because they'd have to provide documentation.

honestly most employers expect this stuff, especially if they're doing layoffs. don't stress about it too much

The unemployment tax rate for employers is based on several factors including their industry, payroll size, and experience rating. A single claim typically won't cause a dramatic increase, especially for larger companies.

I was worried about the same thing when I got laid off from my retail job. Turns out my manager actually encouraged me to file because they knew I qualified and needed the help.

The whole system is confusing. I still don't understand why some people get denied when they seem to qualify.

WASHINGTON ESD MAKES EVERYTHING SO COMPLICATED! Why can't they just tell you upfront what happens to your employer when you file???

File if you qualify. That's what the system is for. Your employer knew this was a possibility when they had to make layoffs.

Small employers might feel it more than big corporations, but even then it's spread out over time. Don't let guilt stop you from getting benefits you're entitled to.

My sister works in HR and she says they budget for unemployment costs as part of their normal business expenses. It's not a surprise to them.

Just to follow up on my earlier comment about Claimyr - they really helped me understand the whole process including how it affects employers. Sometimes talking to an actual Washington ESD agent makes all the difference.

Bottom line: file if you qualify. The system exists for exactly this situation and your employer participated in it by paying unemployment taxes.

wish i had known all this when i first filed. spent weeks worrying about nothing

The experience rating system is actually pretty fair when you understand it. Companies that rarely have layoffs pay less, companies with high turnover pay more. Makes sense.

Does anyone know if there's a difference between being laid off vs being fired for performance issues? Like does that change how it affects the employer?

I worked for a small business and when I got laid off the owner actually walked me through filing for unemployment. He said it was just part of running a business.

For anyone still confused about the process, talking to Washington ESD directly really helps. I know Claimyr was mentioned earlier and honestly it saved me a lot of stress trying to get through on my own.

Remember you have to do your weekly claims too once you file. Don't let that slip or you could lose benefits even if your employer isn't affected.

At the end of the day, unemployment insurance is there to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Don't feel guilty about using it.