What happens if you turn down a job while on unemployment Washington ESD?

You don't have to take just any job! Washington ESD has guidelines about suitable work. Generally you can refuse jobs that pay significantly less than your previous wage (usually 75% or less after the first few weeks), don't match your skills/experience, or create genuine hardship like childcare conflicts. Document everything about why you refused it.

I went through this exact situation last year. Turned down a retail job because it was 40% less pay than my previous office job. Washington ESD did contact me about it but once I explained the pay difference and showed my job search log, they said it was reasonable to refuse. The key is showing you're still actively looking for appropriate work.

The whole process of dealing with job refusal questions can be really stressful, especially when you're trying to reach Washington ESD to explain your situation. I had a similar issue where I needed to talk to someone about suitable work guidelines but couldn't get through on the phone for weeks. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) which actually got me connected to an ESD rep the same day. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Definitely helped me avoid weeks of worry about my claim status.

wait so you can actually say no to jobs?? I thought you HAD to take anything they offered or lose benefits. I've been applying to everything even jobs I hate just because I was scared

The suitable work rules change over time though. In the beginning you can be more selective but after several months they expect you to consider jobs that pay less or aren't perfect matches. I think it's something like 75% of your previous wage for the first 8 weeks, then it goes down to 65% or something. Don't quote me on the exact percentages but there's definitely a sliding scale.

Just make sure you're documenting EVERYTHING. Keep track of every job you apply for, every interview, every offer you receive or turn down. Washington ESD can audit your claim at any time and they want to see that you're making a genuine effort to find work. Your job search log is your best protection.

The system is so confusing tbh. Like how are you supposed to know what's 'suitable' and what isn't? They should make this stuff clearer instead of making us guess and worry about losing benefits.

I turned down a job 3 months into my claim and they did question it. Had to go through a whole interview process where they asked about my job search activities and why I refused the position. It was nerve-wracking but since I had valid reasons (pay was 60% of my previous salary) they approved it. Just be prepared to justify your decision.

Here's what I learned from my experience - timing matters a lot. If you're early in your claim (first 8-12 weeks) you have more flexibility to turn down jobs that aren't suitable. But if you've been collecting for months, they expect you to be less picky. Also geographic distance matters - they can't expect you to take a job that's unreasonably far from your home.

Does anyone know if temporary or contract work counts the same as permanent jobs for this? I got offered a 2-week temp assignment that pays okay but obviously has no job security.

The childcare conflict you mentioned is definitely a valid reason to refuse work. Washington ESD recognizes that if taking a job would cost you more in childcare than you'd earn, or if suitable childcare isn't available during the work hours, that's grounds to refuse. Just document your childcare situation clearly.

I'm dealing with something similar right now and trying to get through to ESD to ask about it has been impossible. Been calling for days and either get busy signals or get disconnected after waiting forever. Really frustrating when you just need a quick answer about whether refusing a job will affect your benefits.

Another thing to consider - make sure you understand the difference between refusing work and quitting work. If you accept a job and then quit within a few days because it's not suitable, that's different from refusing the offer upfront. Quitting can be harder to justify than refusing.

The most important thing is being honest and having documentation. I've seen people get in trouble for not reporting job offers they refused, thinking ESD wouldn't find out. Employers sometimes report to ESD when someone turns down work, so it's better to be proactive about reporting it yourself.

Just remember that your situation sounds completely reasonable. Part-time work that conflicts with childcare and pays significantly less than your previous job is textbook unsuitable work, especially only 6 weeks into your claim. Don't stress too much about it but do document your reasons clearly.

Has anyone had to deal with a formal hearing about job refusal? I'm wondering what that process is like if they decide to challenge your decision.

One more tip - if you do get contacted by ESD about the job refusal, don't panic. Answer their questions honestly and provide any documentation they ask for. Most of the time if you have legitimate reasons and you're actively job searching, they'll understand. The system is designed to help people find appropriate work, not force them into bad situations.

I just want to add that it's really important to keep track of your ongoing job search activities too. Even if you refuse a job for valid reasons, ESD will still want to see that you're actively looking for other work. Make sure you're applying to your required number of jobs each week and documenting everything. The job refusal becomes much less of an issue when you can show you're genuinely engaged in finding suitable employment. Also, don't let one unsuitable job offer discourage you from continuing your search - there are better opportunities out there that will be a proper fit for your skills and situation.