Washington ESD unemployment if I quit my job - am I eligible?

What counts as documentation? I have my old schedules saved on my phone but nothing in writing about why they cut my hours.

Screenshots of schedules are good. Also try to get any texts or emails where they mention schedule changes. If you can't get written proof, document dates and times of conversations.

I haven't gone to HR yet because I'm scared it will make things worse. Should I try that first before quitting?

Yes, Washington ESD will want to see you made reasonable efforts to fix the situation. Document your HR complaint and their response (or lack of response).

What kind of documentation would I need to prove harassment? I don't have anything in writing from HR because we don't really have an HR department.

You'd want to document incidents with dates, times, and any witnesses. Even text messages, emails, or notes you made at the time can help. The key is showing a pattern of behavior that made continuing work unreasonable.

Really? How does that work? I had no idea that was even possible.

Yeah, if your hours or wages dropped significantly you can file for partial benefits. You still have to do job search requirements though. Check the Washington ESD website for the partial claim process.

What was your situation? Did you eventually win the appeal?

hostile supervisor too but i didn't document enough stuff. lost the appeal and had to find another job fast

How long did adjudication take for you? And what did you use as proof that you tried to resolve it?

About 6 weeks for me. I had emails where I asked my manager about getting more hours and her response basically saying business was slow. That helped my case a lot.

If you need to reach Washington ESD about your adjudication status, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual agent. Way better than trying to call yourself - there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and the site is claimyr.com. Really helped when I was stuck waiting.

I didn't know about constructive discharge - what exactly does that mean for unemployment?

It means the working conditions were so bad that a reasonable person would have felt compelled to quit. Washington ESD recognizes this as good cause.

Good point about it not being voluntary. My manager never asked if I wanted fewer hours, she just started scheduling me less.

That's actually perfect for your case. The fact that it was unilateral makes it look more like constructive dismissal rather than you choosing reduced hours.

That's what I'm worried about. Even if I have a good reason they'll probably find some way to deny me.

Don't let the horror stories scare you. If you have legitimate good cause and proper documentation, Washington ESD will approve your claim. The key is being thorough with your evidence.

Nope, partial unemployment is definitely a thing. If your hours or wages drop significantly you can get partial benefits while still employed.

Mind blown. I wish I had known this when my hours got cut during the slow season last year.

How long did the appeal process take? I'm worried about going months without any income.

It took about 6 weeks from when I filed the appeal to when I had my hearing. Then another 2 weeks to get the decision. I won my appeal but it was stressful not knowing if I'd get benefits.

There's really no one above my manager except the store owner who doesn't care about employee issues. I've heard other people complain about her and nothing ever changes.

If you do decide to quit, I'd suggest using a service like Claimyr to help you get through to Washington ESD agents when you file your claim. Getting someone on the phone at ESD is nearly impossible these days, and if your claim gets denied initially, you'll need to talk to them about the appeal process. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Thanks for the suggestion! I've heard horror stories about trying to call Washington ESD. How does Claimyr actually work?

That sounds helpful - did they charge you a lot for it?

They focus on the value of actually reaching an agent rather than the cost. For me it was worth it to get real answers about my situation.

Never heard of this but honestly anything is better than the Washington ESD phone system. Might check it out.

Perfect! That conversation is exactly what you need. Shows you tried to resolve it and were told the reduction is permanent.

That's almost identical to what happened with me. Definitely save notes about that conversation with the date and time.

While the process can be frustrating, people do successfully get benefits after quitting for good cause. Documentation is key.

SURE if you're lucky enough to get a fair adjudicator. Half of them don't even read the documentation properly.

What do you mean by adjudication exactly? I keep seeing that term but don't really understand it.

Adjudication is when Washington ESD has to investigate your claim because there's a question about eligibility - like whether you had good cause to quit. They review evidence and make a determination.

And like I mentioned before, if you need to reach them during adjudication, Claimyr really helps get through to actual agents instead of spending hours on hold.

Oh no, what reason did they give for denying you? I'm worried the same thing will happen to me.

They said I didn't prove good cause for quitting. I think I didn't document things well enough beforehand.

That's why documentation is so crucial. Washington ESD puts the burden of proof on you to show you had good cause.

I've been applying places but nothing yet. The job market in my area isn't great right now.

Fair enough. Just thought it might be worth mentioning as an option.

They haven't changed my actual job but the work environment has gotten so toxic I can barely function.

Mental health impacts from hostile work environment definitely count. Make sure you have medical documentation if possible.

I've been looking but it's hard to job search when you're this stressed out at your current job.

That's another reason to consider FMLA or even just taking some sick days to decompress and think clearly.

That's terrible advice! You shouldn't try to get fired on purpose. That could backfire if they fire you for cause.

I'm not saying do anything wrong, just that if the situation is really that bad, sometimes it's better to let them terminate you rather than quitting. Washington ESD treats voluntary quits much more harshly than terminations.

The health issues part sounds like it could apply to me. Do I need a doctor's note?

Medical documentation definitely helps. A doctor's note linking your symptoms to workplace stress would be valuable evidence.

My friend got approved after quitting due to anxiety caused by her boss. She had medical records and everything documented.

It really does work - I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time and frustration.

Did you use it multiple times or just once?

Just once to get my initial questions answered, but knowing I could reach someone again if needed was reassuring.

Did you end up getting approved for benefits after quitting?

Yes, but it took three months and an appeal hearing. I had to provide witness statements from coworkers and detailed logs of incidents. It was worth it in the end but the process was exhausting.

Should I send an email to my manager outlining the problems before I quit?

That could help establish a record, but be careful about the tone. Keep it professional and focused on specific work-related issues, not personal complaints.

Good point. How long does the whole process usually take if there's no issues with the claim?

If it's straightforward with no adjudication needed, usually 2-3 weeks for first payment. But with good cause quit situations, expect adjudication which adds 4-8 weeks.

Should I keep this log at work or at home? I'm worried about them finding it.

Definitely keep it at home or in a personal email account. Never document this stuff on company equipment or accounts.

That's what I'm worried about - they'll probably make up some story about my performance or something.

That's why documentation is so important. Washington ESD will look at evidence from both sides during adjudication.

I think we might have something like that. Might be worth looking into before I make any drastic decisions.

Yeah, and using EAP resources could also be documentation that you tried to resolve things before quitting.

I've been applying to other places but nothing has come through yet. The job market is tough right now.

Keep applying while you're still employed. It's always easier to find a job when you already have one, and you won't have to worry about the unemployment situation.

That does sound like it might be the safer option. How much were the partial benefits compared to full unemployment?

It depends on your earnings, but I was getting about 60% of what full benefits would have been. Still had to do job search requirements though.

Smart choice. You can always quit later if you find something better or if your situation gets worse.

Good decision. Partial benefits will give you some extra income while you job search, and you'll still be employed which looks better to potential employers.

How many job applications do you have to do per week? I'm already applying places anyway.

It's 3 job search activities per week minimum. Applications count, but so do other activities like going to job fairs or networking events.

How long does adjudication usually take for quit cases?

It varies but typically 2-4 weeks for straightforward cases. More complex situations can take longer.

I don't think she's doing anything illegal, just being a really bad manager. Is that enough for good cause?

Bad management alone usually isn't enough unless it rises to the level of harassment or creates an unsafe work environment. You'd need to show it was unreasonable for you to continue working there.

What if she's treating me differently than other employees? Like giving me the worst shifts and being more critical of my work?

That could potentially be discrimination depending on whether it's based on a protected characteristic. Document specific examples and see if there's a pattern that suggests unfair treatment.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. I have all the documentation to back up what I'm saying anyway.

I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know there's an option if I get stuck.

I was skeptical about using a service like that but honestly it was worth it when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD after trying for days.

This is why services like Claimyr are so helpful. When my claim got denied I couldn't get through to anyone at Washington ESD for weeks. Claimyr helped me get connected to an actual person who could explain the appeal process and what documentation I needed.

Yeah the phone lines are impossible. I tried calling for two weeks straight and never got through to a human.

Good point - I should probably start job searching now regardless of what I decide.

yeah and keep track of your applications because washington esd will want to see your job search log

That makes sense. I'll make sure to be totally upfront about everything.

And keep copies of everything you submit to Washington ESD. You might need it for appeals or future reference.

That's encouraging to hear! Did your employer fight it?

Yes they contested it but the evidence was clear. Washington ESD sided with me after reviewing everything.

Thanks for sharing - gives me hope that there might be a way through this mess.

Will they know exactly what I said in my unemployment application?

They'll get basic information about your claim and the reason you gave for leaving. If they contest it, there will be a fact-finding interview where both sides can present their case.

Thank you! I feel much more confident about my options now after reading everyone's responses.

How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

I think it's at least 3 job search activities per week, but check the current requirements. It can include applications, networking, job fairs, etc.

That's what I'm worried about. I can maybe cover rent for one month without income but that's it.

Look into local assistance programs and food banks while you're waiting. Many communities have resources for people in temporary financial hardship.

How did you deal with the stress of staying in a toxic environment?

I just kept reminding myself it was temporary and focused on my job search. I also made sure to document everything in case things got worse and I did need to quit for good cause.

Good reminder. I assume they have instructions on how to report partial earnings when you file?

Yeah, the weekly claim form has a section for reporting wages. Just be accurate about your gross earnings for that week.

Yeah, it's really frustrating. But at least I know my options now instead of just suffering through it.

You're right - I should probably talk to an actual Washington ESD agent about my specific circumstances.

I used Claimyr too after reading about it here. Got through to an agent same day and got answers to questions I couldn't find anywhere online.

Oh wow, I hadn't even thought about health insurance. That's another big expense to consider.

Yeah COBRA can be expensive but you don't want to be without coverage, especially if you're dealing with stress-related health issues.

I will - thanks everyone for all the advice. I have a lot to think about and some research to do before making any decisions.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Just remember to document everything and explore all your options first.

That's a good idea - I'll look into what resources are available locally.

yeah they might even help you navigate the washington esd process if you do end up filing

I didn't know that was an option. What kind of violations would they help with?

Things like wage theft, unsafe working conditions, discrimination, or violations of scheduling laws. Even if they can't help directly, they might be able to provide documentation that supports your case for good cause.

Should I start documenting things now even if I haven't decided to quit yet?

Absolutely. Even if you don't end up quitting, having records could be useful if the situation escalates or if you need to file a complaint with HR or labor standards.

That gives me some hope. I think I need to start building a stronger case before making any decisions.

That's smart. And remember, if you do end up filing for unemployment and need to talk to Washington ESD about your case, Claimyr can help you get through their phone system. I used them when I had issues with my claim status and it saved me hours of trying to call on my own.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think I need to start documenting everything and maybe consult with an employment lawyer before making any final decisions.

That sounds like a good plan. Many employment lawyers offer free consultations and can give you a better sense of whether you'd have a strong case for good cause if you do decide to quit.

Thanks! I'm going to file this weekend and see how it goes.