Quit job due to rehired employee who caused safety issues - qualify for ESD benefits?
I'm in a really tough spot and need advice on qualifying for unemployment. I worked as a medication technician at a facility for almost a year but had to quit on Oct 6th because management rehired an employee with a troubling history. This person had previously been fired after stealing narcotics and trying to blame it on me and another coworker (he actually signed medication charts using her name when she wasn't even working). They fired him initially after reviewing security footage, but then inexplicably rehired him at the beginning of October. I couldn't risk my med tech and NAC licenses by continuing to work alongside someone who had previously compromised patient safety and tried to frame others. I found another job, but there was a gap between positions and I'm wondering if this qualifies as a valid reason to receive unemployment benefits? Would ESD consider this a hostile work environment claim since I wouldn't have quit if they hadn't rehired someone who directly threatened my professional credentials?
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James Maki
This actually might qualify as what ESD calls 'good cause' to quit! When you file, make sure to select that you quit but had good reason. In the explanation section, be VERY specific about how this person's actions put your professional license at risk. The key thing is that you need to show it was an intolerable situation that any reasonable person would have left. Have you already filed your initial claim?
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Kayla Morgan
•Thanks for the response! I haven't filed yet because I wasn't sure if I'd qualify. Do you know if I need to provide any documentation? The incident with the medication tampering happened about 7 months before I quit, but I have texts with my supervisor from when they told me they were bringing him back.
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Jasmine Hancock
i had somthing kinda similar happen and got benefits. make sure u mention that it was about ur PROFESSIONAL LICENSE being at risk not just that u didnt like the guy. esd cares about that difference trust me
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Cole Roush
•This is actually incorrect information. ESD doesn't typically approve claims when someone voluntarily quits regardless of the reason. The burden of proof for "good cause" is extremely high, and they reject about 80% of these types of claims automatically. I would recommend appealing when they inevitably deny your initial claim.
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Scarlett Forster
The type of situation you're describing falls under what ESD considers "good cause" to voluntarily quit. Here's what you should know: 1. When filing, indicate you voluntarily quit but had good cause 2. Document the specific risk to your professional license - this is critical 3. Provide any evidence showing you complained about the situation before quitting 4. Be prepared to explain why staying would have jeopardized your ability to work in your profession You may need to get through adjudication where an ESD agent will interview you about your circumstances. Make sure to emphasize that this wasn't just an unpleasant situation but one that put your professional standing at risk.
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Kayla Morgan
•Thank you! Do you know how long the adjudication process might take? I've been struggling financially while waiting for my first paycheck from the new position.
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Arnav Bengali
ESD is SO backed up right now! When I filed in February for a similar situation it took 8 weeks to get through adjudication, and I couldn't get anyone on the phone. Have you tried calling them? I spent days trying to get through.
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Sayid Hassan
•I had luck using Claimyr to get through to ESD when I was stuck in adjudication for a similar issue. Saved me hours of redial hell. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. They connected me to an agent in about 30 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. The agent was able to push my adjudication through once I explained my situation.
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Rachel Tao
What I find deeply concerning is that healthcare facilities are rehiring people with documented narcotics theft!! This is EXACTLY why our licensing boards exist - to protect patients and other healthcare workers. In my experience with ESD (20+ years HR manager for healthcare), this is a textbook case for "good cause" voluntary quit. Your professional ethics required you to remove yourself from this situation. Document EVERYTHING and be prepared for the adjudicator to ask if you tried to resolve the issue before quitting. Did you speak with your supervisor? HR? Director of nursing?
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Kayla Morgan
•Yes, I did speak with my supervisor and the facility administrator before resigning. I expressed my concerns about patient safety and the risk to my license, but they said their decision was final. I have texts showing I formally objected to working with this person. Would those help?
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Rachel Tao
•Those text messages will be CRUCIAL evidence! Save them in multiple places and be ready to provide them during adjudication. This clearly shows you attempted to resolve the situation before quitting, which is exactly what ESD looks for in these cases.
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Derek Olson
everyone saying youll get approved is WRONG lol... esd BARELY approves anything trust me... i quit my toxic job in healthcare and got denied even tho i had documentation. theyll say "you shouldve reported to the board instead of quitting" or something stupid
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James Maki
•While I understand your frustration with your own case, each situation is evaluated individually. The critical difference here is the direct threat to a professional license due to potential medication errors or falsified documentation being attributed to the OP. That's different from a generally toxic workplace.
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Scarlett Forster
I want to emphasize that timing matters when filing. Since you voluntarily quit on October 6th and it's now late October, you should file right away. You don't want to wait too long as it could affect your claim. Also, make sure you report any earnings from your new job when filing weekly claims - failing to do so could result in an overpayment issue later.
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Kayla Morgan
•I didn't realize timing was important! I'll file today. For the weekly claims, do I report gross earnings or net? And do I report them for the week I worked or the week I got paid?
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Scarlett Forster
•Report gross earnings (before taxes) for the week you EARNED the money, not when you were paid. This is a common mistake that causes overpayment notices later. And remember, you must be available for work and actively job searching during any week you claim benefits, even if you've already secured a new position but haven't started yet.
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Cole Roush
Don't forget to prepare for the possibility of an appeal hearing if they initially deny your claim. Washington state has a high rate of reversals at the appeal level for these types of cases. Make sure you have documentation ready about: 1) The original incident with details about the medication theft, 2) Proof that management knew about your concerns when they rehired this person, 3) Any communications showing you tried to resolve this before quitting. I'd recommend preparing your narrative now while everything is fresh in your mind.
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Kayla Morgan
•That's excellent advice. I'll start gathering everything now. Do you know how long appeals typically take to process? If my initial claim is denied, should I still file weekly claims while waiting for the appeal?
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Cole Roush
•YES! Continue filing your weekly claims even if denied - this is critical. If you win on appeal, you'll only be paid for weeks you properly claimed. Appeals are currently taking about 6-8 weeks to schedule after filing, and you'll get a notice with your hearing date about 10 days before. The hearing itself is usually by phone with an Administrative Law Judge.
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