Washington ESD - Can I file for unemployment if I quit my job?

What kind of documentation would I need to prove good cause? I don't have anything in writing about the hostile work environment.

You'd need to document everything - emails, witness statements, any HR complaints you filed, medical records if it affected your health. Washington ESD takes good cause very seriously and the burden of proof is on you.

How long did the appeal process take? I'm worried about being without income for months.

Mine took about 6 weeks total. You should also know that even if you win the appeal, Washington ESD might make you wait several weeks before benefits start as a penalty.

This is actually smart advice. Getting laid off or fired for non-misconduct reasons makes you immediately eligible for Washington ESD benefits.

I never thought of that approach. My performance reviews have always been good though so I'm not sure they'd fire me for poor performance.

How much does that cost? I'm already strapped for cash which is why I need to know about unemployment.

It was worth it for me to get real advice from Washington ESD instead of guessing. They helped me understand what documentation I'd need if I decided to quit and claim good cause.

Never heard of this but might be useful. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely brutal to navigate.

Our HR department is basically non-existent. It's a small company and the owner handles everything.

That makes it tougher. Small companies sometimes don't follow proper procedures which could actually help your good cause argument if you document it properly.

My manager yells at employees in front of customers, schedules me for shifts I can't work after I told him my availability, and generally creates a toxic environment. Nothing physical but very demoralizing.

That could potentially qualify as good cause, especially if it's affecting your health or if the scheduling conflicts make it impossible to keep the job. Document everything with dates and witnesses.

That's a long time to go without income. Maybe I should try to stick it out longer while I look for another job.

That might be the safer approach honestly. It's always easier to find a job when you already have one, and you won't have to worry about the uncertainty of the unemployment claim.

I didn't know that! How long do they keep those records?

I'm not sure exactly but I think it's several years. Something to research before making your decision.

I haven't heard of that term before. How would I prove constructive discharge to Washington ESD?

You'd need to show that your employer deliberately made conditions so intolerable that you had no choice but to quit. It's a high bar to meet but sounds like your situation might qualify if you can document the pattern of behavior.

Good point. I should probably start keeping a detailed log of incidents even if I don't quit right away.

Exactly. Dates, times, witnesses, how it affected you - the more detailed the better. Take photos if there are safety issues, save any text messages or emails.

Did you end up getting your full unemployment benefits after the appeal?

Yes, but there was still a 3-week waiting period. Better than nothing though, and I felt like I had made the right decision to leave that toxic job.

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week but check the current requirements. Could be applications, networking events, interviews, etc.

Three months?! How did you survive financially during that time?

Had to borrow money from family and pick up some gig work. It was really tough but ultimately worth it to get out of that horrible job situation.

That's exactly the position I feel like I'm in right now. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.

That's why documentation is so crucial. If you have solid evidence of good cause, Washington ESD has to approve your claim. The burden is on them to prove you quit without good reason if you can show otherwise.

I hadn't thought about legal action. Do you think it's worth it for workplace hostility that isn't physical?

Depends on the specific circumstances but hostile work environment can sometimes be actionable, especially if it's based on protected characteristics. Worth a consultation at least.

That's my biggest concern. I barely make ends meet as it is, and unemployment is only a fraction of your regular pay.

Exactly. Washington ESD pays about 60% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. Factor in the potential waiting period and it becomes really challenging financially.

Thanks for sharing that. It's exactly the kind of outcome I'm trying to avoid.

Learn from my mistake. If I had documented the issues at my job better, I might have had a case for good cause. Hindsight is 20/20.

I'll definitely check that out. I want to make sure I understand all my options before doing anything irreversible.

Smart approach. Knowledge is power when dealing with the unemployment system. The more you understand upfront, the better your chances of success.

I'm starting to think I should talk to someone at Washington ESD before I make any decisions. Sounds like Claimyr might be worth looking into.

It really gave me peace of mind to get official guidance instead of just guessing based on forum advice. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

This has been really helpful. I think I need to step back and create a more comprehensive plan before making any rash decisions.

That sounds wise. Take time to document everything, explore your options, and maybe talk to Washington ESD or a lawyer before you quit. Better to be overprepared than caught off guard.