Washington ESD unemployment when quitting - can I still qualify?

I have emails and written complaints to HR going back 3 months. Do you think that's enough documentation?

That's a good start. Also keep records of any witnesses who saw the behavior and make sure you can show you tried to fix the situation before quitting.

How long did it take once you got through to them? I'm worried about the waiting period.

Once I actually talked to an agent it moved pretty fast. The hard part is just getting through to explain your situation in the first place.

Never heard of that service before but sounds useful for getting past the busy signals

What counts as 'reasonable efforts'? I complained to HR multiple times but they just said they'd 'look into it'.

That could work in your favor actually. If HR acknowledged your complaints but failed to take action, that strengthens your case that the situation was intolerable.

Make sure you have copies of those HR complaints in writing, not just verbal conversations

What do you mean by quitting 'properly'? Is there a specific way I need to do it?

give notice if possible, state your reasons in writing to your employer, keep copies of everything

Yes, a resignation letter that clearly states the reasons for quitting can be important evidence for your unemployment claim later.

Quit claims usually take longer to process than regular layoff claims. Could be 4-6 weeks or more depending on how complex your case is.

Ugh that's what I was afraid of. I can't go that long without income.

Have you considered filing a complaint with L&I about the safety violations? That might help your case

That's what I'm worried about. I don't want to quit and then get denied benefits.

It's definitely challenging but not impossible. The key is having solid documentation and being able to show you tried to resolve the issues first.

Did she have to get a lawyer or was she able to handle it herself?

She did it herself but said it was really stressful. Had to write out detailed explanations of every incident.

That's exactly why I ended up using that Claimyr service - talking to an actual person at Washington ESD made all the difference in explaining my situation properly

How do you prove constructive discharge? That sounds like what's happening to me.

You need to show the employer deliberately made conditions intolerable to force you out. Pattern of behavior, escalating harassment, etc.

Constructive discharge is harder to prove but if you can establish it, your claim would be processed like a regular discharge rather than a voluntary quit.

Thanks, it really is scary. The stress is affecting my health at this point though.

Your health is more important than any job. Document everything and make sure you have a solid case before you make the jump.

That's encouraging to hear from someone in HR. The retaliation definitely got worse after I complained.

Document the retaliation too! That's additional evidence that the employer failed to address the hostile environment.

Retaliation for complaining about workplace issues is definitely considered good cause for quitting in Washington.

I would actually disagree with this advice. Being honest about your reasons in your resignation letter can help establish your good cause claim later.

eh maybe but I've seen employers fight unemployment claims harder when you call them out directly

From an HR perspective, a clear resignation letter stating your reasons is better documentation than staying vague about it.

The harassment has been ongoing for months though. Does that hurt my case?

Not if you can show you were trying to resolve it during that time. It's about making reasonable efforts to fix the situation first.

That's why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it gets you past all the hold times and busy signals. Worth checking out their demo video if you're struggling to get through.

might have to try that, this is ridiculous

How long is the waiting period usually?

There's always a one-week waiting period, but for quit claims there could be additional delays during the adjudication process while they review your case.

I've thought about that but I'm worried about the cost of a lawyer.

Many employment attorneys offer free consultations, and some work on contingency if you have a strong case.

Washington also has free legal aid services that might be able to help with employment issues

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think I have enough documentation but I'm going to try talking to someone at Washington ESD first before I make any decisions.

Good plan. And if you can't get through on the regular lines, that Claimyr service really does work for getting connected to an actual person who can give you proper guidance.

Thank you! This thread has been really helpful in understanding my options.