Washington ESD unemployment - do you qualify if you resign from your job?

Generally speaking, voluntary resignation makes you ineligible for UI benefits in Washington state. However, there are specific exceptions called 'good cause' reasons that Washington ESD recognizes. These include unsafe working conditions, harassment, discrimination, or significant changes to your job duties or pay. You'll need solid documentation to prove your case.

I resigned last year and got approved for benefits, but it took forever. Washington ESD had to do a full investigation which meant my claim was in adjudication for almost 6 weeks. Even with good cause, expect delays and be prepared to appeal if they initially deny you.

The specific good cause reasons are pretty limited though. Just being unhappy with your job or having a bad boss usually isn't enough. Washington ESD looks for situations where a reasonable person would have felt compelled to quit. Have you tried talking to HR or your supervisor about the issues first?

Don't quit unless you absolutely have to! Even with good cause, voluntary resignation claims are much harder to win than regular layoff claims. Washington ESD will scrutinize everything and you'll likely face an adjudication process that can take weeks or months. If there's any way to stick it out while looking for another job, that's usually the safer route financially.

If you do decide to quit, make sure you document EVERYTHING before you resign. Write down dates, times, witnesses, and exactly what happened. Submit formal complaints through proper channels first and keep copies. Washington ESD will want to see that you tried to resolve the issues before quitting.

ugh the washington unemployment system is so broken... they make it nearly impossible to get benefits even when you deserve them. i quit a toxic job two years ago and they denied my claim even though i had tons of evidence. spent months trying to appeal and finally just gave up

For those considering this route, here's what Washington ESD considers good cause for voluntary resignation: constructive discharge, domestic violence situations, workplace harassment that wasn't addressed, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to job duties or compensation, and a few others. The key is proving that staying would have been unreasonable for any worker in your situation.

Another thing to consider - even if you qualify for benefits after resigning, there might be a waiting period before payments start. Washington ESD sometimes imposes additional penalties or delays for voluntary resignation cases, even approved ones. Make sure you have some savings to cover expenses during the initial weeks.

Has anyone here successfully gotten UI after quitting due to health reasons? My doctor says my job stress is causing serious health problems but I'm not sure if that qualifies as good cause.

Just want to emphasize that timing matters a lot with these claims. If you resign and then wait weeks to file for unemployment, Washington ESD might question why you didn't file immediately if the situation was truly unbearable. File your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work.

Whatever you decide, be completely honest on your application. Don't try to make it sound like you were laid off or fired if you actually quit. Washington ESD will verify with your employer and lying on the application is fraud. If you resigned, say you resigned but explain the circumstances clearly.

If your claim does get approved, remember you'll still need to meet all the regular UI requirements - job searching, being available for work, filing weekly claims, etc. Resigning for good cause doesn't exempt you from those ongoing eligibility requirements.

One more consideration - if you're planning to resign anyway, see if there's a way to negotiate a separation agreement or severance package instead. Sometimes employers prefer that to dealing with potential legal issues, and it might give you some financial cushion while looking for new work.

Been through this process myself and the hardest part was actually reaching someone at Washington ESD to explain my situation. The phone system is a nightmare and online messages often go unanswered for weeks. If you do file a claim after resigning, be prepared for a lot of frustration trying to communicate with them.

Bottom line - you can potentially qualify for unemployment after resigning, but it's an uphill battle. The burden of proof is on you to show good cause, and Washington ESD tends to be conservative in their approvals. Make sure you have a strong case with solid documentation before you take that leap.