What reasons can you quit a job and still get unemployment in Washington state?

What kind of documentation do I need? I have some emails from my supervisor but not sure if that's enough.

Save all emails, write down dates and details of incidents, get witness statements if possible. The more documentation the better for your adjudication review.

8 weeks?? How did you survive financially during that time?

It was rough. I had to borrow money from family. That's why the documentation is so important - you want to get approved on the first review.

Thank you! I've been keeping notes about the harassment but didn't know if that would be enough. Should I report it to HR first before quitting?

Definitely report it to HR and document that you did. Washington ESD will want to see that you tried to resolve the issue before quitting. Keep copies of everything you submit to HR and their responses.

Thanks! I've been trying to call for weeks but never get through. This might actually help.

Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

How long did it take for Washington ESD to make a decision on your claim?

About 3 weeks, but I had really good documentation. They called me for a phone interview to go over everything.

What counts as 'significant' reduction in hours? My boss cut me from 40 to 25 hours a week.

Generally 20% or more reduction is considered significant, so your situation would likely qualify. But document when the reduction happened and if it was permanent.

Never heard of that service before. Is it legit? Seems weird to pay someone to help you call Washington ESD.

It's totally legitimate. I used it when I couldn't get through to discuss my adjudication issue. Much better than spending hours on hold just to get disconnected.

Ugh that sucks. Did you try to appeal the decision?

yeah but didnt have any proof so they upheld the denial. learn from my mistake

This is really helpful advice. I wish I had started documenting earlier but I'll start keeping detailed records now.

Also screenshot any harassing texts or emails if they're work-related. Electronic evidence is really powerful.

So you still have to do the job search requirements and all that?

Yes, exactly. Good cause just removes the voluntary quit disqualification. You still need to file weekly claims and do your job searches.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it's specifically designed to help with Washington ESD phone issues. Worth trying since these situations are time-sensitive.

I'll check it out, thanks. This whole process is so stressful when you're already dealing with a bad work situation.

How do you get them to fire you without getting fired for misconduct?

Don't do anything that could be considered misconduct. Just stop going above and beyond, do exactly what your job description says, nothing more. Sometimes that's enough for toxic employers.

Did you need a specific type of medical documentation?

My doctor wrote a letter explaining that my work environment was causing health issues that prevented me from continuing employment. That seemed to be enough.

Health issues can also qualify as good cause, especially if your employer wouldn't provide reasonable accommodations. Did you have medical documentation?

yeah i had doctors notes and everything. still took like 6 weeks for them to approve it though

That's considered a constructive dismissal situation. A significant reduction in hours can qualify as good cause for quitting. You might even qualify for partial benefits while still working the reduced hours.

Definitely file for partial unemployment first before quitting. Washington allows partial benefits when your hours are reduced.

Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about. What kind of evidence did you wish you had?

More witnesses, written complaints to management, maybe even recordings if legal in your state. I only had my word against theirs initially.

That's playing with fire though. If Washington ESD determines you got fired for misconduct, you'll be disqualified for benefits entirely.

Yeah I don't want to risk my benefits by trying to manipulate the situation. Better to build a solid good cause case.

Tell me about it. The adjudication process takes forever and they act like you're trying to scam them.

I understand the frustration, but the process exists to prevent fraud. If you have legitimate good cause and proper documentation, you will get approved eventually.

That's good to know. Are there specific forms for domestic violence situations?

Yes, there's a domestic violence verification form. You can get it from Washington ESD or have a counselor, attorney, or other qualified person fill it out.

Yes, and Washington has some of the strongest protections for domestic violence survivors. They don't even require you to disclose the abuse details in your application if you have proper documentation.

Religious discrimination absolutely qualifies as good cause. Did you request a religious accommodation in writing? That documentation would be crucial for your claim.

I asked verbally but didn't put it in writing. Should I email my supervisor now requesting the accommodation before I quit?

How much does it cost? I'm already broke which is why I need the unemployment benefits in the first place.

It's really reasonable considering the alternative is potentially losing weeks or months of benefits. Check their website for current pricing.

I didn't know there were two different standards. What would be an example of necessitous and compelling?

Things like needing to care for a seriously ill family member, relocating due to domestic violence, or major transportation issues that make it impossible to get to work.

I get the frustration but unemployment insurance is supposed to be for people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Otherwise everyone would just quit and collect benefits.

i guess but what about toxic workplaces? people shouldnt have to stay in abusive situations just to keep their benefits

Good point about timing. How far back can they backdate a claim if you have good cause for the delay?

Usually only a few weeks unless there are extraordinary circumstances. It's always better to file right away and let them make the determination.

Keep records of when paychecks were supposed to be issued versus when you actually received them. Bank deposit records, pay stubs, and any communication about the delays will help your case.

You might also want to file a complaint with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for wage theft. That creates additional documentation for your unemployment claim.

That sounds really helpful. I'm getting overwhelmed trying to navigate all this on my own.

Definitely worth it for peace of mind. The agents can walk you through your specific situation and let you know if you have a strong case or not.

Exactly. The job search requirements are still in effect. You need to be applying to jobs and keeping a log of your search activities.

I'm definitely planning to look for work immediately. I just need the safety net while I find something better.

This is so important. My employer contested my claim and I had to go through a whole appeals process. Luckily I had good documentation and won, but it was stressful.

How long did the appeals process take? I'm worried about being without income for months while this gets sorted out.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I feel much more informed now about what I need to do to protect myself if I decide to quit.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Just remember to document everything and file your claim as soon as possible if you do quit.

Smart move. Better to be prepared and have all your ducks in a row before you quit.

Good plan. Take your time to build a solid case. Your financial security depends on getting this right.

How long is the waiting period usually?

It varies depending on your situation, but could be 1-2 weeks on top of the normal waiting week. Plus however long adjudication takes.

How long have you been waiting? I'm worried mine will take months too.

6 weeks so far. My account just says 'adjudication in progress' with no other information. It's maddening.

Maybe I should try that. I've been calling for weeks with no luck.

Yeah the regular phone system is basically useless. At least with these services you might actually reach someone.

Constructive dismissal can qualify if you can prove your employer deliberately made conditions intolerable to force you to quit. Document everything - the impossible expectations, lack of training or resources, disciplinary actions, etc.

I have the write-ups and emails about the new requirements. Hopefully that's enough evidence.

How soon should you file after quitting?

As soon as possible, ideally within a week or two. The details are fresher in your mind and it shows you weren't just taking a break from work.

Live and learn. At least now you know for next time, hopefully there won't be a next time though.

fingers crossed but the job market is rough out there

Good to know. How long do you have to file an appeal?

30 days from the date of the denial decision. Don't wait - appeal deadlines are strict.

Agreed! I feel much more prepared now to handle my situation properly.

That's what these forums are for - helping each other navigate the system. Good luck to everyone dealing with difficult work situations.

Text messages can definitely be used as evidence if they're work-related and show the harassment pattern. For voice recordings, check Washington's recording laws first - it's a two-party consent state, so you might need permission. Even subtle harassment like what you're describing can qualify if you can show a pattern. Keep a detailed log of each incident - date, time, witnesses present, exactly what happened. Screenshot any relevant texts or emails immediately. The micromanaging and exclusion tactics are often called "creating a hostile work environment" and Washington ESD does recognize this as good cause if it's severe enough to make working conditions intolerable.

I've been in a similar situation and found that keeping a detailed written log was crucial - even for the subtle stuff. Document every instance of micromanaging (what task, what was said, when), being excluded from meetings (which meetings, who was there, how you found out), and unrealistic deadlines (what was asked, timeframe given, whether resources were provided). Screenshots of texts work well, but be careful with recordings - Washington is indeed two-party consent. One thing that really helped my case was showing the pattern of escalation over time. Also consider if any coworkers witnessed this behavior and might be willing to provide statements. The more you can show it's systematic rather than isolated incidents, the stronger your good cause argument will be with Washington ESD.

This is really comprehensive advice! I'm just starting to deal with a similar situation and wondering - when you say "start your claim as soon as possible after quitting," does that mean you should file even before you have all your documentation together? I'm worried about filing too early and not having enough evidence, but also don't want to wait too long. Also, did Washington ESD give you any feedback during the adjudication process about what evidence was most convincing in your case?