Refusing lower-pay temp work from previous employer - Will ESD disqualify my unemployment?

This is actually a pretty clear-cut situation under ESD rules. You're generally allowed to refuse work that pays substantially less than your previous employment, especially during the first several months of your claim. ESD considers work 'suitable' based on several factors, with wages being a primary consideration. The rule of thumb is that you can decline work paying less than 80% of your previous wage during the first part of your claim. Since they're offering less than 50% of your previous wage, you should be fine refusing it. Just document the offer (date, pay rate offered, temp duration) in case ESD questions you about it later. Make sure to continue doing your required job search activities and documenting them correctly.

Thanks for the responses! That's reassuring. The $18/hr is definitely below market for my position and experience level in my area. I'm actually going to call my claims specialist to document this situation before I formally decline the offer. Should I also mention this on my weekly claim?

Uggggh I HATE when employers try to pull this!!! I had the exact same thing happen to me last year with a restaurant job. They laid me off as a shift manager ($24/hr) then called begging me to come back as a server at $14.75 + tips which would have been way less money. ESD actually approved me continuing benefits because I documented everything. The key is DOCUMENTATION and being HONEST on your weekly claims. Don't let them bully you into accepting less than you're worth!

Good morning! I work as an employment counselor and can provide some additional insight here. Washington ESD does indeed consider multiple factors when determining if work is "suitable" including: 1. Your previous wage and experience 2. The prevailing wage in your labor market 3. The distance from your home 4. The duration of the offer (temporary vs. permanent) 5. Your prospects for getting work in your customary occupation For your specific situation, because: - The offer is temporary (only 3-4 weeks) - The wage is less than 50% of your previous wage - You're actively interviewing for positions at your appropriate wage level - You're only 4 months into your claim You have strong grounds to refuse this offer while maintaining benefits. However, you MUST report the refusal on your weekly claim and provide the detailed reason. I also recommend calling ESD directly before formally declining the offer, as this creates a record of your good-faith effort to comply with requirements.

Good luck calling ESD lol! I've been trying for THREE WEEKS and can't get through to anyone. Just get hung up on after waiting on hold for hours. The whole system is broken.

my cousin works at ESD and said they r really looking at refusals more carefully in 2025 becuz of some new rules. she said documentation is KEY!!! get the offer in EMAIL if u can so u have proof of the low pay rate they offered.

One additional point worth mentioning: while you're correct to refuse this unsuitable work, keep in mind that as your unemployment claim gets older (typically after 13 weeks), the criteria for "suitable work" does gradually shift. ESD expects claimants to become somewhat more flexible with wages as time passes. In your case, at 4 months you're right around that transition point, but a 50% pay cut would still be considered too extreme. Just something to be aware of if your job search extends further.

I had almost this EXACT situation in January!!! Former employer wanted me back at WAY lower pay for "just a few weeks" which turned into them pressuring me to stay permanently at that lower rate. I refused and reported everything to ESD. They tried to challenge my unemployment but I won because I had documentation of the original terms they offered me. GET IT IN WRITING!!!