Washington ESD unemployment benefits after firing employee - do I have to pay?

Thanks, that makes more sense. So I won't get a bill for their weekly benefits but it could affect my taxes going forward?

Exactly. Keep all your documentation about the attendance issues - time sheets, write-ups, any warnings you gave them. You'll likely get a form asking about the separation.

What kind of proof do they want? I have their schedule and can show the days they were late or didn't show up.

That's perfect. Include attendance records, any disciplinary actions, your company policy on attendance, and dates of specific incidents. The more documentation the better.

Make sure you respond within that 10-day window or they'll just approve the claim automatically based on the employee's statement.

Did you have to get a lawyer involved or handle the appeal yourself?

I handled it myself. Washington ESD has forms you can fill out online and you can upload your evidence. It's not too complicated if you have good documentation.

Six weeks seems like a long time though. Were they collecting benefits during the appeal process?

Yes, they were getting paid while the appeal was pending. But once Washington ESD reversed the decision, they had to pay it all back as an overpayment.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does something like that cost?

Worth checking out their site for details, but honestly after spending an entire afternoon trying to get through on my own, having someone who could actually reach Washington ESD was a lifesaver.

I've heard of services like this but wasn't sure if they were legit. Did they actually get you to the right department?

So even if this employee gets benefits, I'm not writing a check directly to them or Washington ESD for their weekly amount?

Correct. You pay quarterly unemployment taxes based on your payroll and experience rating. More claims against your account = higher tax rate in future years.

That's discouraging. What kind of documentation did you have?

attendance records, customer complaints, even had witnesses but they still approved the claims. maybe i didn't present it right idk

It really depends on how you frame the misconduct. Attendance issues need to show a pattern and that the employee knew their job was at risk. Did you give written warnings?

Should I mention that other employees complained about having to cover their shifts?

Yes, definitely include how their attendance affected operations and other staff. That shows business impact beyond just rule-breaking.

Also include any costs to the business - overtime paid to other employees, lost productivity, etc. Washington ESD considers economic impact when evaluating misconduct.

No, that's a common misconception. Employees can still get benefits if they were fired for reasons other than misconduct. Washington ESD looks at WHY they were terminated.

So if I fire someone because business is slow and I can't afford to keep them, they can get unemployment?

Yes, that would be considered a layoff due to lack of work, not misconduct. They'd be eligible for benefits in that case.

Stealing should definitely be misconduct. Did you file a police report?

Yes, and I included the police report number in my response to Washington ESD. Theft is pretty clear-cut misconduct but apparently it still takes time to process.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me get through to someone faster. Sometimes you need to follow up on these time-sensitive employer responses.

How often do the rates change? Is it annual?

Washington ESD recalculates rates annually, usually effective each January. They look at your claims history over the previous few years to determine your experience rating.

I get the frustration but unemployment insurance protects the whole economy. Without it, people who lose jobs would have no income and couldn't spend money, hurting all businesses.

i guess but it feels unfair when someone gets fired for not doing their job and then gets paid by a system we fund

Good point. Do they send confirmation when they receive your response?

They should send an acknowledgment but I've had mixed results. Screenshot everything and keep confirmation numbers if they give you any.

What's the most important thing you learned from all those cases?

Document everything in real time, not after the fact. Have an attendance policy in writing and follow it consistently. And always respond to Washington ESD requests even if you think it's pointless.

This is great advice. Too many employers think they can wing it when someone files a claim and then wonder why they lose.

Yes, if Washington ESD reverses the decision after your appeal, those benefit charges should be removed from your experience rating account. It's like the claim never happened for tax calculation purposes.

Good to know. Makes it worth fighting if you have a solid case.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Sounds like I need to get my documentation together and respond quickly when they contact me.

Exactly. Be proactive and thorough. The worst thing you can do is ignore Washington ESD's requests for information.

And remember, if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation, services like Claimyr can save you hours of hold time. Sometimes a quick conversation can clear up confusion about the process.