Washington ESD question - which type of unemployment is characterized by a worker looking for a job?

Thanks! So when I'm doing my job search log for Washington ESD, I'm technically in frictional unemployment?

Exactly right. The job search requirements from Washington ESD are there to help reduce the time you spend in frictional unemployment.

I think I might be dealing with structural unemployment actually. My industry downsized and most jobs now require different certifications than what I have.

Washington ESD has retraining programs through WorkSource that can help with structural unemployment situations. You should look into their professional development resources.

How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my job search requirements.

It basically calls for you and waits in the queue, then connects you when an agent picks up. Saved me hours of trying to get through.

Sounds too good to be true but I might try it. The Washington ESD phone system is impossible.

That's really helpful! So even though I was laid off, since I'm actively job searching now I'm in frictional unemployment?

Well, if you were laid off due to company downsizing or economic reasons, that would initially be cyclical unemployment. But once you start actively searching, the lines can blur.

The type of unemployment doesn't change based on your claim status. If you're actively job searching, you're still experiencing frictional unemployment even if Washington ESD disqualified you.

Ok that makes sense. I was overthinking it. Thanks for clarifying!

yeah the theory is nice but in practice it sucks when you're the one looking for work

True, but some frictional unemployment shows the labor market is healthy and people aren't just stuck in bad jobs out of desperation.

Seasonal unemployment is its own category, though it can overlap with frictional if the worker is searching for off-season work instead of waiting for their seasonal job to return.

Got it. Washington ESD has that standby status for seasonal workers right?

Yes, standby is when you expect to return to the same employer. That's different from actively job searching.

I might need to try that. I have questions about my weekly claims that I can't find answers to online.

Same here. The Washington ESD website is so confusing sometimes.

That's a good point! The job search process itself creates the unemployment period.

Makes sense why Washington ESD requires proof of job search activities. They want to minimize that search time.

So during the pandemic, that was mostly cyclical unemployment because businesses were closed?

exactly! that's why there were special pandemic unemployment programs. regular frictional unemployment programs wouldn't have been enough

True, but moving is expensive when you're already on unemployment benefits.

Absolutely. That's one reason frictional unemployment can last longer for lower-income workers - they have fewer resources to expand their job search geographically.

Same! This is exactly what I needed for my assignment.

Glad we could help! Good luck with your class and your job search.

good summary! those are the three main categories most economics classes cover

Thanks for the recap. I was getting lost in all the details.

I'm definitely going to check that out. I've been trying to reach them about my appeal for weeks.

Yeah, I might try it too. The regular phone number is basically useless.

You're welcome! Make sure to mention that in practice, these categories can overlap and people might experience multiple types throughout their unemployment period.

Good point. Real-world unemployment situations are often more complex than the textbook definitions suggest.