Washington ESD unemployment benefits after resigning - do I qualify?

What kind of documentation would I need? I have some emails from my manager but not sure if that's enough.

Emails are good, but also try to get written complaints you filed with HR, witness statements from coworkers, any company policies that were violated, or medical documentation if the stress affected your health.

Six weeks?! That's terrifying. How did you survive financially during that time?

It was rough. I had to borrow money from family. The backpay helped once it came through but those weeks were really stressful.

That's interesting, I didn't know there was a service to help get through to Washington ESD. The phone lines are always busy when I try to call.

Wait, you have to pay for that service though right? Seems like Washington ESD should just answer their phones.

Yeah I agree they should, but when you're facing a potential gap in income, sometimes it's worth it to get actual answers instead of guessing.

Do you happen to know where on the website that information is? I've been looking but can't find the specific requirements.

I think it's under the eligibility section but honestly their website is pretty confusing to navigate.

I wish I could find another job first but this situation is affecting my mental health so badly I can barely function.

That's actually another potential good cause reason - if you can get medical documentation that the workplace stress is causing health issues, that strengthens your case with Washington ESD.

That's smart to document everything. I wish I had started doing that sooner. Did you have to go to a hearing or anything?

No hearing needed in my case. The adjudicator just called me once to ask a few questions and then approved the claim. Having all that documentation really helped.

Recording conversations without consent is illegal in Washington state, just FYI. Two-party consent law here.

That's unfortunately probably true. A lot of people don't realize that quitting for good cause can still qualify you for benefits.

Exactly! I worked with someone who quit because of sexual harassment and didn't even try to file for unemployment because she thought you had to be fired. Such a shame.

I haven't thought about a lawyer but that's a good point. Do you know if there are any free legal services for workplace issues?

There are some non-profit legal aid organizations that help with employment issues. Might be worth looking into before you make any big decisions.

How long did the whole process take from filing to getting your first payment?

Filed in early October, got my first payment in late November. So about 7 weeks total but that included the waiting week.

That's encouraging to hear! My situation is more about the toxic management but maybe there's still hope.

Hostile work environment can definitely be good cause if you can document it properly. The key is showing that you tried to resolve the issues first.

I filed a complaint with HR but they basically told me to work it out with my manager, who is the problem. Not sure what else I can do.

Document that HR response! That shows you tried to resolve it through proper channels and they didn't help. That could actually strengthen your case.

That sounds nerve-wracking. Did you have to do a phone interview or was it all in writing?

Both actually. First they sent me a questionnaire to fill out, then about two weeks later they called me for a phone interview. The call lasted about 20 minutes.

Did they give you any advice about strengthening your case?

They couldn't give advice per se, but they explained the process and what evidence they look for. It helped me understand what I needed to focus on.

Good point about filing quickly. I assume I should file the claim right after I quit, not wait to see if I can find another job first?

Exactly. File as soon as you become unemployed. You can always withdraw the claim later if you find work quickly, but you can't backdate it if you wait too long to file.

I'm definitely going to start documenting everything better. This thread has been really helpful for understanding what I need to prepare.

I'm glad it's helpful! This stuff is so confusing when you're going through it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Right, I understand I'd still need to be actively looking for work. That's actually fine with me - I just need some income stability while I find a better job.

Exactly. The job search requirements are the same whether you were fired or quit for good cause. Usually 3 job search activities per week in Washington.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. I feel much more informed about my options now.

Definitely consider calling Washington ESD to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions. Whether you use Claimyr or somehow get through on your own, talking to an actual person can really help clarify things.

Good luck OP! Document everything and don't let them intimidate you. You have rights as an employee and as an unemployment claimant.