I quit my job can I apply for unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility question

What counts as harassment exactly? My manager was constantly yelling at employees and making personal comments about our appearance.

That could potentially qualify as creating a hostile work environment. You'd need to document incidents with dates and any witnesses if possible.

How long did the appeal process take? I'm worried about paying bills while waiting.

took like 6 weeks total but i got backpay for the whole time once it was approved

This is so confusing! I tried calling Washington ESD multiple times but can never get through to actually talk to someone about my specific situation.

I had the same problem with getting through to Washington ESD. After weeks of trying to call, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much time and frustration!

Really? That actually worked for you? I'm getting desperate here.

That's discouraging but I guess I should still try? I really did have good reasons for leaving.

Even if you get denied initially, you can appeal. Many people win on appeal if they have good documentation.

Good point. Should I mention that I quit when filing or just say I'm unemployed?

Be honest about quitting. Lying on your application is fraud and will cause bigger problems later.

I get the frustration but there have to be some rules otherwise everyone would just quit and collect benefits

i guess but it feels like they make it impossible on purpose

I do have some text messages from coworkers complaining about the same manager. Would those help?

Absolutely! Anything showing a pattern of problematic behavior helps your case.

Should I mention the health issues the stress was causing?

Yes, if you have medical documentation showing work-related stress, that strengthens your case for good cause.

What kind of questions do they ask in the phone interview?

they wanted details about why she quit, what she tried to do to resolve the situation first, stuff like that

How much does it cost though?

It's worth it compared to the time I was wasting trying to get through on my own. The peace of mind alone was huge.

We didn't really have HR, it was a small store. I did complain to the district manager once but nothing changed.

That actually helps your case - shows you tried to address the problem through proper channels first.

If you're considering quitting, start documenting everything now in case you need it for an unemployment claim later.

Good advice, I'll start keeping a log of incidents.

True, I'm already unemployed either way. Might as well try.

How many job applications do I need to do per week?

It varies but generally 3 job search activities per week. Check the WorkSourceWA website for current requirements.

Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. I really need the income.

That's another reason why I'm glad I found Claimyr - at least I can actually get updates on what's happening with my claim instead of wondering.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm nervous about the whole process but I know I had valid reasons for leaving.

You've got this! Just be honest and thorough in explaining your situation.

Why would they contest it?

Their unemployment insurance rates can go up if too many former employees get benefits, so they often fight claims automatically.

That seems unfair but I guess it makes sense from their perspective.

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'm going to file my claim today and start gathering my documentation.