If I get fired can I collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

What counts as misconduct exactly? My supervisor says I'm not meeting expectations but I feel like the goals are unrealistic.

Not meeting performance standards isn't usually misconduct unless you're deliberately not trying. Unrealistic goals from management would be their problem, not yours.

How long does the adjudication process usually take? I'm worried about paying bills if there's a long delay.

Currently it's taking anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the complexity. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even during adjudication.

Did you end up getting approved for benefits even though you were fired?

Yes! Since I could prove it was performance-related and not misconduct, my claim was approved. The key was having documentation of my work efforts.

I do have some emails where my supervisor acknowledges the workload is heavy. Would that help?

Absolutely! That shows the performance issues might be due to unreasonable expectations rather than your fault.

Screenshot everything now before you potentially lose access to your work email!

What if they say I was insubordinate? My manager and I had some heated discussions about the workload.

Standing up for yourself about working conditions isn't automatically insubordination. It depends on how it was handled and if you were being respectful.

How did you eventually get through to them?

kept calling first thing in the morning but kept getting disconnected. finally someone told me about that claimyr service that helps you get through faster.

Good point. I was thinking I should wait to see what happens with my job, but maybe I should be prepared.

Definitely file immediately after termination. There can be delays if you wait too long to start the process.

How many jobs do I need to apply to each week in Washington?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep detailed records in WorkSourceWA.

What kind of questions do they ask in these interviews?

They'll want specifics about what led to the firing, any warnings you received, your side of the story, etc. Be honest and stick to facts.

And if you can't reach them for the interview when they call, it can really delay things. That's another reason people use services like Claimyr to make sure they can actually talk to agents when needed.

What did you do differently the second time?

I wrote down my timeline of events beforehand and practiced explaining it clearly. Also had all my documentation organized and ready to reference.

How long do you have to file an appeal?

You have 30 days from the date of the determination letter to file your appeal with Washington ESD.

That's exactly how I'm feeling already and nothing has even happened yet!

i feel you both. the uncertainty is killer. at least once you file you can start the process instead of just worrying about what might happen

Should I ask for this before or after I'm actually terminated?

After. When they hand you termination paperwork, ask for a detailed written explanation of the reasons. They don't have to provide it but many will.

That's somewhat reassuring. I really don't think I've done anything that would count as actual misconduct.

Yeah, as long as you weren't stealing, fighting, or blatantly violating clear policies, you probably have a good chance of getting benefits.

Good reminder. I should probably set up my account now even though I'm still employed.

Exactly! Getting familiar with the system before you need it urgently is smart planning.

I did have a better paying job earlier this year before this one. How do they calculate the benefit amount?

They look at your highest earning quarter in your base year and use that to determine your weekly benefit amount. It can be surprisingly different than what you'd expect.

Thanks everyone. This has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared now for whatever happens.

Good luck! Remember that getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you - it's all about the specific circumstances.

And if you need to talk to Washington ESD agents quickly about your situation, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work well for getting through their phone system.