How long do unemployment hearings last with Washington ESD?

Most Washington ESD hearings I've seen run between 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on complexity. Simple cases like missed job search requirements might be done in 30-45 minutes. More complicated stuff like misconduct or voluntary quit cases can go longer.

The hearing length really depends on how many witnesses are involved and how much documentation needs to be reviewed. I had one that lasted almost 3 hours because my former employer brought multiple witnesses and there were a lot of conflicting statements to sort through.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your hearing, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr that helped me actually reach an agent. They have a system that calls for you and gets you connected - saved me hours of trying myself. Check out claimyr.com, they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Block out at least half a day to be safe. Even if the actual hearing is shorter, there's usually some waiting time, technical setup if it's by phone, and you'll want time to decompress afterward. Better to have extra time than be rushed.

ugh i hate dealing with this stuff. had my hearing last month and it felt like forever even though it was probably only an hour. the stress makes everything feel longer

One thing to keep in mind is that the administrative law judge controls the pace. Some judges are very efficient and move things along quickly, others are more thorough and take their time with every detail. You can't really predict which type you'll get.

make sure you have all your documents organized before the hearing starts. that can add time if you're shuffling through papers looking for stuff

I've been to two hearings and they were completely different lengths. First one was maybe 20 minutes because my employer didn't show up and the judge ruled in my favor quickly. Second one lasted almost 2.5 hours because there was a lot of back and forth about the facts.

Another factor is whether you need an interpreter. If the hearing requires translation services, that can definitely add to the overall time as everything needs to be interpreted back and forth.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I actually used it again yesterday to check on the status of my own appeal decision and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of spending my whole lunch break trying to call. Really worth it if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your case.

The one thing nobody mentions is how emotionally draining these hearings are regardless of length. Even a short 30 minute hearing can feel exhausting because of the stress and having to defend yourself.

Also worth noting that if your hearing runs long and you have a hard stop time, you can usually ask the judge for a brief recess or to reschedule if absolutely necessary. They're generally understanding about people's work schedules.

From my experience working in HR, I'd say plan for 1-2 hours as a safe estimate. The hearings I've participated in from the employer side have mostly fallen in that range. Misconduct cases tend toward the longer end because there's usually more evidence to review.

Whatever you do, don't schedule anything important right after your hearing. Even if it ends quickly, you'll probably need some time to process what happened and maybe make some follow-up calls.

One last thing - bring water and maybe a snack if it's in person. Longer hearings can be physically draining too, especially if you haven't eaten. Phone hearings are easier in that respect since you can have whatever you need nearby.