If I quit do I qualify for unemployment in Washington - need to know my options

Yes, Washington ESD does allow unemployment benefits if you quit for "good cause" but it's pretty strict about what qualifies. You'll need to document everything - harassment, unsafe conditions, major changes to your job that weren't agreed to, etc. The key is having proof and showing you tried to resolve it first.

I quit my job last year for similar reasons and got approved for benefits. The process took about 6 weeks though because they had to investigate. I had to provide written statements, evidence of the harassment, and proof that I tried to work with HR first. Washington ESD will do a fact-finding interview with both you and your employer.

I tried getting through to Washington ESD to ask about this exact situation and couldn't reach anyone for weeks. Ended up using Claimyr to actually get connected to an agent who explained the whole good cause process. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Be really careful about quitting without having everything documented perfectly. I quit thinking I had good cause but Washington ESD denied me because I didn't have enough evidence. Had to appeal and it took months to get resolved. Make sure you have written proof of everything!

The Washington ESD website has a section about voluntary quit situations but it's pretty vague. From what I understand, you need to show that a reasonable person would have quit under the same circumstances. Things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, or significant changes to your job duties without agreement can qualify.

I'm dealing with something similar. My boss has been making racist comments and I've reported it to HR multiple times with no action. I'm documenting everything but I'm scared to quit because I need the income. This is such a difficult situation.

Whatever you do, don't just walk out. Give proper notice and make sure your final documentation is submitted before you quit. I've seen people lose their cases because they quit improperly even though they had good cause.

The fact-finding process is really thorough. They'll interview you, your employer, and any witnesses. Be prepared to explain exactly what happened, when it happened, and what you did to try to fix it. They want to see that quitting was your last resort.

I used Claimyr when I was going through my good cause determination and the agent was super helpful in explaining what Washington ESD would be looking for. Saved me a lot of confusion about the process.

Don't forget that even if you get approved, there might be a waiting period before benefits start. Plan accordingly because you might be without income for several weeks while everything processes.

The Washington ESD good cause criteria includes things like domestic violence situations, stalking, harassment, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and significant changes to job duties or pay. But you really need solid documentation for any of these.

I quit for good cause two years ago and got benefits but it was nerve-wracking waiting for the decision. Make sure you file your claim immediately after quitting and be prepared for a thorough investigation. The waiting is the hardest part.

Just want to add that if you do quit and get denied initially, don't give up. The appeals process exists for a reason and sometimes they get it wrong the first time. I know several people who won on appeal.

Make sure you're also meeting the work search requirements while your claim is being processed. Even during the investigation period, you still need to be actively looking for work and documenting it.

The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD looks at whether your reason for quitting was compelling and whether you had reasonable alternatives. If you can show both, you have a good chance of approval.

I was skeptical about using Claimyr but honestly it was worth it just to get clear information about the good cause process. The agent I spoke with had handled lots of similar cases and knew exactly what Washington ESD looks for.

One more thing - if you do quit, make sure you keep copies of everything you submit to Washington ESD. The process involves a lot of paperwork and you'll want your own records.

This thread has been really helpful. I'm in a similar situation and was afraid I'd be stuck with no options. Good to know Washington ESD does consider legitimate cases of good cause.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. Having a toxic work environment is terrible for your mental health. Sometimes quitting is the right choice even if it means dealing with the unemployment process.

Final tip - when you do your fact-finding interview, be specific about dates, times, and exactly what happened. Vague answers won't help your case. The more detailed and factual you can be, the better.