What happens if an employer does not attend an unemployment hearing Washington ESD

If your employer doesn't show up to the hearing, you'll still need to present your case to the administrative law judge. The hearing will proceed as scheduled, but you'll have a much better chance of winning since they won't be there to present their side of the story.

I went through this exact situation last year. My employer disputed my claim saying I quit when I was actually terminated. They never showed up to the hearing and I won by default essentially. The judge still asked me questions and I had to explain what happened, but without the employer there to contradict me, it was pretty straightforward.

You should definitely still prepare like they're going to show up. Sometimes employers will call in at the last minute or send a representative. Also, even if they don't attend, you'll want to have your timeline of events clear and any supporting evidence organized.

Ugh I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my hearing info and can never reach anyone. The phone system is impossible! Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

The employer not showing up is actually pretty common. Most of the time they dispute claims just to make it harder for you, but when it comes to actually attending the hearing, they often don't bother. Especially smaller companies that don't have dedicated HR departments.

Make sure you join the hearing a few minutes early and test your audio if it's by phone. Even if your employer doesn't show, you want to make a good impression on the judge.

I'm going through something similar but my employer is claiming I was fired for performance issues. They've been fighting my claim for two months now. It's so stressful not knowing if I'll get benefits or if I'll have to pay back what I've already received.

Pro tip: if your employer doesn't show up, the judge will still ask you to state your case, but they'll also ask if you have any evidence that contradicts the employer's written statement. Make sure you address their specific claims directly.

Washington ESD hearings are usually pretty fair in my experience. The judges understand that sometimes employers dispute claims just to make it difficult. If you were truly laid off due to budget cuts and have any documentation, you should be fine.

Just had my hearing last week and my employer was a no-show. The whole thing took about 20 minutes. The judge asked me to explain what happened, looked at the documents I submitted, and ruled in my favor. Way easier than I expected.

Be prepared for the possibility that they might show up at the last minute. I've seen employers call in right as the hearing is starting. Don't get your hopes up too much about them being a no-show.

The Washington ESD system is so backed up right now. I've been waiting three months for my hearing date and still nothing. At least you have a date scheduled!

I work in HR and I can tell you that smaller companies often dispute claims automatically through their unemployment insurance carrier without really thinking about whether they'll attend the hearing. It's frustrating for everyone involved.

Whatever happens, make sure you're polite and professional during the hearing. Even if your employer doesn't show up, you want to make a good impression on the administrative law judge.

I had a similar situation where my employer claimed misconduct but didn't show up to the hearing. The judge still asked detailed questions about the alleged misconduct and wanted to understand the full situation. Be ready to explain everything clearly.

The fact that you found out from a coworker that they might not show up suggests the company is disorganized. That actually works in your favor - shows they're not taking the process seriously.

Don't forget that even if you win the hearing, the employer can still appeal the decision to the Board of Tax Appeals. It's not necessarily over after the first hearing.

Just want to say good luck with your hearing! It sounds like you have a solid case, especially if they really did lay you off due to budget cuts. Keep us posted on how it goes.

One more thing - if you need to reach Washington ESD before your hearing to clarify anything, I had success using Claimyr after weeks of trying to call on my own. Worth checking out their website at claimyr.com if you're having trouble getting through.

I went through a similar hearing last month where my employer disputed my claim saying I was fired for tardiness when I was actually terminated due to company restructuring. My employer didn't show up either, and while the hearing was much easier without them there, the judge still made me walk through the entire situation step by step. Make sure you have all your dates straight and can clearly explain the timeline of events leading to your layoff. The judge will want to understand exactly what happened and why you believe it was a layoff rather than misconduct. Having that email about budget cuts will definitely help your case - anything that shows the company was having financial issues supports your version of events. You've got this!