Washington ESD denied my claim - employer says I was fired for cause, what are valid reasons an employer can deny unemployment?

There are specific criteria Washington ESD uses to determine misconduct. The main reasons employers can successfully deny benefits include: willful violation of company policies, insubordination, theft, excessive unexcused absences, being under the influence at work, or deliberate poor performance. The key word is 'willful' - it has to be intentional misconduct, not just poor performance or honest mistakes.

same thing happened to me last year, employer claimed i was fired for cause but it was really just downsizing. washington esd initially denied my claim but after i appealed with documentation they reversed it

I've been through this process multiple times helping people appeal. The burden of proof is on your employer to show that your actions constituted misconduct connected to your work. Simply being a poor fit or making mistakes isn't enough. Try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they helped me get through to Washington ESD quickly when I needed to discuss my case details. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Washington ESD looks at whether your behavior was a substantial disregard of employer interests. Things like chronic tardiness, refusing to follow direct orders, fighting with coworkers, or damaging company property typically qualify. But they also consider if you were warned about the behavior and given a chance to improve.

ugh the whole system is rigged against workers!! employers can make up whatever they want and washington esd just believes them automatically. i got denied twice before finally getting approved

Here's what you need to know about appealing: You have 30 days from the date on your determination letter to file an appeal. Gather any documentation that supports your case - emails, medical records, witness statements, your employee handbook, etc. The hearing will be by phone and you'll present your side of the story.

I went through this exact situation 6 months ago. My employer claimed I was fired for violating safety protocols but I had proof that the incident was due to faulty equipment that I had reported multiple times. Washington ESD reversed their initial denial after the appeal hearing.

One thing to remember is that Washington ESD distinguishes between misconduct and poor performance. Simple inability to do the job well isn't misconduct. The employer has to prove you deliberately acted against their interests or violated known policies with full awareness of the consequences.

just went through this nightmare myself... employer said i was stealing time by clocking in early but i was just trying to be helpful setting up for the day. took 8 weeks to get it resolved but finally got my benefits

The timing of when you were fired matters too. If your employer suddenly decides something is misconduct after tolerating it for months, that weakens their case. Washington ESD looks at whether the employer's response was proportionate and consistent with how they've handled similar situations.

Used Claimyr last month when I needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my denied claim. Got through in like 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. Really helped me understand what additional documentation I needed for my appeal.

Don't forget about the 'last straw' rule. Even if you had some minor issues before, if the final incident that got you fired wasn't severe misconduct, you might still qualify for benefits. Washington ESD looks at the specific reason for termination, not your entire employment history.

my friend got denied initially because her employer claimed job abandonment but she had texted her supervisor about being sick. washington esd overturned it once she showed the text messages during the appeal hearing

The appeal hearing is your chance to tell your side of the story. The administrative law judge will ask questions and you can present evidence. Don't be intimidated - they're supposed to be neutral and just want to get to the facts.

Another thing to consider - if your employer is claiming misconduct but you were actually doing your job duties as you understood them, that's not misconduct. Misunderstanding instructions or making good faith errors typically don't disqualify you from benefits.

washington esd website has a good section explaining misconduct vs non-misconduct terminations. worth reading before your appeal so you understand how they evaluate these cases

Remember that even if you lose the initial appeal, you can request a review by the Board of Appeals. Don't give up if the first hearing doesn't go your way - sometimes it takes multiple levels of review to get a fair decision.

just want to add that i used claimyr too when dealing with my misconduct denial. being able to actually talk to someone at washington esd made a huge difference in understanding what evidence would be most helpful for my case

Final thought - keep detailed records of everything moving forward. Document all your job search activities, save copies of all correspondence with Washington ESD, and keep receipts for any expenses related to your case. Organization is key to a successful appeal.

I went through a similar situation about 3 years ago. My employer claimed I was terminated for "insubordination" but what really happened was I questioned a safety procedure that I felt was dangerous. Washington ESD initially sided with my employer, but during the appeal hearing I was able to show that I was actually trying to protect myself and coworkers. The key is proving that your actions were reasonable under the circumstances. Based on what you've described - medical issues with documentation and no prior warnings - you definitely have grounds for a successful appeal. Don't let them intimidate you into not fighting this.