Washington ESD separation notice - what is a separation/unemployment notice exactly?

Thanks! Should I be worried if my employer says something negative on it? I was let go for attendance issues but I had some legitimate reasons for missing work.

You'll have a chance to give your side of the story when you file your claim. If there's any dispute about the separation reason, Washington ESD will investigate and you can provide documentation to support your case.

Good to know! I was worried I had to wait for some kind of approval from my old job before I could apply.

This is really helpful. What counts as misconduct though? I was fired for being late too many times but I had childcare issues.

Misconduct has to be willful and work-related. If you had legitimate reasons for tardiness like childcare problems, that's usually not considered misconduct. Make sure to explain your circumstances when you file your claim.

How much does that cost? I'm already broke from being unemployed.

Check out claimyr.com for details. It's worth it if you're stuck and need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim.

While some employers might exaggerate, the separation notice is actually a legal requirement and most employers are honest about the circumstances. Washington ESD investigates any discrepancies.

Sure they do... after 6 months of 'adjudication' while you can't pay your bills.

Correct. File your claim as soon as possible. The separation notice is between your employer and Washington ESD - you don't need to see it or wait for it.

yep file now, the longer you wait the longer it takes to get your first payment

That's exactly what I was worried about! Good thing I asked here first.

Yeah definitely don't make my mistake. The separation notice isn't for you to see anyway, it's just their internal paperwork explaining why you're no longer employed there.

Yes, they're required to send a separation notice regardless of whether you quit, were fired, or laid off. The notice will indicate that you quit voluntarily.

Thanks! I'm planning to quit soon and wanted to know what to expect.

It mainly affects whether you qualify. Your benefit amount is based on your earnings history, not the reason you left your job. However, if you're disqualified due to misconduct, you won't get any benefits at all.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They specialize in getting you connected to Washington ESD agents when you can't get through on your own. Saved me hours of frustration.

I'll check that out, thanks. This is so stressful when you can't get answers about your claim.

Employers can face penalties for not submitting required separation notices, but Washington ESD will still process your claim. They'll contact your employer directly if they need the information.

Good to know. My old boss is pretty disorganized so I wouldn't be surprised if they forgot.

Because they don't want people to actually get benefits! They make it complicated on purpose.

It's complicated because they need to verify eligibility and prevent fraud. Once you understand the basics it's not too bad.

You should definitely mention your concerns about discrimination when you file. Washington ESD will investigate if there are discrepancies between your account and your employer's separation notice.

Should I contact a lawyer too or just deal with unemployment first?

You can pursue both simultaneously. File your unemployment claim immediately, then consult with an employment attorney about potential discrimination claims.

Yes, if they contest your claim, it's usually based on information they provided in the separation notice. They might claim you were fired for misconduct or that you quit voluntarily.

Great, so now I have to fight them twice - once for firing me unfairly and again for trying to deny my unemployment.

You can request a copy of your separation notice from Washington ESD, though it might take some time to get it. You'll definitely see the information if your claim goes to adjudication.

I want to make sure they didn't lie about anything on it.

Thanks for the heads up! All these acronyms are confusing when you're new to this.

It's still required, but layoffs due to lack of work are usually straightforward for unemployment eligibility. The separation notice will just confirm it was an involuntary layoff.

That's a relief. I was worried there might be complications even with a layoff.

Which service did you use? I might need to call them too if I run into problems.

I used Claimyr - they got me connected to a Washington ESD agent the same day. Much better than the endless hold times.

Perfect summary, thank you! I'm going to file my claim right now.

Good luck! Make sure to file your weekly claims on time once you get approved.

How long do you have to appeal if they deny your claim?

You have 30 days from the date of the determination letter to file an appeal with Washington ESD.