How does unemployment affect the employer in Washington ESD system?

As an employer in Washington, you'll receive a 'Notice of Application for Benefits' from Washington ESD for each claim filed. You have 10 days to respond if you want to contest the claim or provide additional information. Your unemployment tax rate (SUTA) can be affected by benefit charges to your account.

Your unemployment tax rate is based on your 'experience rating' which includes the benefits charged to your account. More claims = higher rates in future years. But if the layoffs were truly due to lack of work and not misconduct, the claims should be approved and charged to your account.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I needed to contest a fraudulent claim last year. Spent hours on hold. Found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to an actual agent quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process much less stressful.

Keep all your documentation about the layoffs - termination notices, business records showing the downturn, anything that proves the separation was due to lack of work. Washington ESD might request this information during their investigation.

been through this before as a business owner... the worst part is not knowing what to expect. washington esd will definitely contact you about each claim. just be honest about the circumstances and respond promptly to any requests.

Don't forget that if your former employees find new work quickly, it reduces the total benefits charged to your account. Encouraging them to actively job search (which they're required to do anyway) can help minimize the impact.

The whole employer side of unemployment is confusing. I wish Washington ESD made it clearer what employers need to do. Their website has info but it's scattered all over the place.

One thing to watch out for - if Washington ESD has questions about the separation, they might schedule a fact-finding interview with you. This is normal but can be stressful if you're not prepared.

Also worth noting that Washington ESD charges interest on unpaid unemployment taxes, so make sure you stay current on your quarterly payments even if your rate goes up.

If you ever need to contest a claim in the future, make sure you understand the difference between 'misconduct' and 'lack of work.' The burden of proof is on the employer to show misconduct, and it has to meet specific legal standards.

Just remembered - if Washington ESD determines your former employees are eligible, they'll send you a 'Notice of Benefit Charges' showing what's being charged to your account. Keep these for your records.

as someone who's been laid off before, I appreciate employers who handle this process professionally. your former employees are probably stressed enough without having to worry about their unemployment claims being contested unnecessarily.

One more tip - if you're planning to recall these employees when business improves, you can put them on 'standby' status instead of full layoff. This keeps them connected to your business while they receive benefits.

The unemployment system is designed to be a safety net for workers while spreading the cost among employers. It's not personal - just part of doing business in Washington state.

Had a similar situation with my restaurant last year. When I needed to speak with Washington ESD about some claim details, I used Claimyr to get through to an agent. Much easier than spending half my day on hold trying to get answers.

Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income for your former employees. They can choose to have taxes withheld from their benefits, but that's their decision, not yours as the employer.

The whole process seems overwhelming but it's actually pretty straightforward once you go through it. Washington ESD handles most of the work - you just need to respond when they contact you.

If your business recovers and you're hiring again, consider reaching out to your former employees first. Washington ESD likes to see employers making good faith efforts to bring people back when possible.

One last thing - make sure your business address and contact info is current with Washington ESD. You don't want to miss important notices because they went to an old address.

This thread has been really helpful. I'm in a similar situation and was worried about the impact on my business. Good to see other employers sharing their experiences.