Washington ESD claim after job automated - what is technological unemployment benefits?
My position as a data entry clerk got eliminated last month when they installed new automated software that does what I used to do. HR said it was a 'technological displacement' but I'm not sure how to handle this with Washington ESD. Do I qualify for regular unemployment benefits or is there something special for when your job gets automated? I'm worried they might think I quit or got fired when really the job just doesn't exist anymore. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation before?
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Ethan Moore
You should definitely qualify for regular UI benefits through Washington ESD. Technological displacement is considered an involuntary job loss, which means you meet the eligibility requirements. When you file your claim, just explain that your position was eliminated due to automation - that's a legitimate reason for unemployment.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Thanks, that's reassuring. Should I mention the automation specifically when I file or just say my position was eliminated?
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Ethan Moore
•Be honest about the automation - Washington ESD needs accurate information. It helps establish that you're unemployed through no fault of your own.
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Yuki Kobayashi
same thing happened to me when they brought in those self-checkout machines at my retail job. washington esd approved my claim no problem, just took forever to get through on the phone to actually talk to someone
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Aisha Mahmood
•How long did it take to get approved? I'm worried about the waiting period.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•maybe 3 weeks? but the phone thing was the worst part, kept getting busy signals
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Carmen Vega
I had a similar automation situation and couldn't get through to Washington ESD for weeks. Ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach an agent. They have this demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration trying to call myself.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Never heard of that service. Does it actually work or is it just another way to spend money?
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Carmen Vega
•It worked for me - got connected to a real Washington ESD agent within a day. Much better than hitting redial for hours.
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QuantumQuester
•I was skeptical too but tried Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Actually connected me to someone who could explain what was happening.
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Andre Moreau
Technological unemployment is definitely covered under Washington state unemployment insurance. The key is documenting that your job elimination was due to business restructuring/automation, not performance issues. Make sure you have any paperwork from your employer about the position being eliminated.
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Aisha Mahmood
•I do have the email from HR explaining the software implementation. Should I upload that when I file?
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Andre Moreau
•Yes, keep that documentation. You might not need it initially but it's good to have if Washington ESD requests additional information during adjudication.
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Zoe Stavros
This is exactly what's wrong with our economy! Companies just replace people with machines and then we're left scrambling for benefits. The system should make employers pay more when they automate jobs away.
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Ethan Moore
•While I understand the frustration, the current Washington ESD system does provide support for technological displacement. The focus should be on helping displaced workers transition.
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Zoe Stavros
•Sure but these companies should face consequences for eliminating jobs through automation instead of just passing the cost to taxpayers through unemployment benefits
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Jamal Harris
•That's a policy debate for another thread. Right now the OP needs practical help with their claim.
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Yuki Kobayashi
btw make sure you're looking for work in your job search log, even if your old job type doesn't exist anymore. washington esd still requires the weekly job contacts
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Aisha Mahmood
•Good point. I should probably look into retraining programs too since data entry is becoming so automated.
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Andre Moreau
•Washington ESD does have retraining benefits available through WorkSource. Might be worth exploring while you're receiving UI benefits.
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Jamal Harris
When you file your initial claim, be very clear about the circumstances. Don't just say 'laid off' - explain that your position was eliminated due to technological changes. This helps prevent any confusion about whether you're eligible.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Should I be worried about them questioning whether I was really doing my job if it could be automated?
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Jamal Harris
•No, automation doesn't mean you weren't doing your job properly. Many legitimate jobs get automated - it's a business decision, not a reflection of your performance.
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Mei Chen
happened to my brother too when his warehouse got those robot things. took him 6 months to find new work but unemployment helped bridge the gap
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Aisha Mahmood
•Six months sounds scary but I guess it's better than nothing. Did he have to do any special paperwork for the automation thing?
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Mei Chen
•nah just the regular claim stuff, but he did mention it in his application
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Ethan Moore
One thing to remember is that Washington ESD considers technological displacement as involuntary separation, which is good for your claim. You won't face any disqualification issues like you might with a quit or firing situation.
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Aisha Mahmood
•That's what I was hoping to hear. I was worried they might think it was somehow my fault for not adapting to the new technology.
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Ethan Moore
•Not at all. The employer made a business decision to automate. That's completely different from performance-related termination.
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QuantumQuester
My claim got stuck when I tried to explain the automation situation on my own. Washington ESD wanted more details but I couldn't reach anyone by phone. Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and finally got to talk to an adjudicator who cleared everything up quickly.
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Aisha Mahmood
•What kind of details were they looking for? I want to be prepared.
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QuantumQuester
•Just confirmation that it was really job elimination and not a performance issue. Having that HR documentation helps a lot.
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Liam Sullivan
File as soon as possible! Don't wait thinking you need to figure out all the technical details first. Washington ESD can work with you on the specifics but you want to get your claim date established.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Good advice. I was overthinking this. I'll file this weekend and deal with any questions as they come up.
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Andre Moreau
•Exactly right. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefit year begins. You can always provide additional documentation later if needed.
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Zoe Stavros
At least Washington state has decent unemployment benefits compared to some places. Still doesn't solve the bigger problem of jobs disappearing to automation though.
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Jamal Harris
•True, but that's a separate issue from helping the OP navigate their current situation with Washington ESD.
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Yuki Kobayashi
just remember to keep doing your weekly claims even if it takes a while to process. don't want to mess up your benefit period
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Aisha Mahmood
•Will do. Thanks for all the help everyone. Feeling much more confident about filing now.
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Ethan Moore
•You're welcome! Technological displacement is more common than you might think, so Washington ESD has processes in place to handle it.
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Amara Okafor
Had the same thing happen in manufacturing - robots took over our assembly line jobs. Washington ESD was actually pretty understanding once I explained it properly. Don't stress too much about it.
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Aisha Mahmood
•That's encouraging. I keep hearing different stories so it's good to know it worked out for you.
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Amara Okafor
•Yeah, just be straightforward about what happened. They deal with this stuff all the time now.
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Carmen Vega
One more thing about that Claimyr service - it's really helpful if you run into any complications with your claim. I recommend bookmarking it just in case you need to actually reach someone at Washington ESD quickly.
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Aisha Mahmood
•I'll definitely keep that in mind. Sounds like reaching Washington ESD by phone is a common problem.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•oh it definitely is, especially during busy periods. anything that helps get through is worth knowing about
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CosmicCommander
The important thing is that you didn't quit and you weren't fired for cause. Automation counts as involuntary job loss, so you should be fine for benefits. Just file and answer the questions honestly.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Sounds like the consensus is that this should be straightforward. I'm going to stop worrying and just file.
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Jamal Harris
Good luck with your claim! Technological unemployment is becoming more common, so Washington ESD has gotten better at handling these cases. You should be approved without major issues.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Thanks everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I'll update if I run into any problems.
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Andre Moreau
•Please do update us! It helps other people in similar situations to know how these cases typically go.
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