What reasons can you quit a job and still get unemployment with Washington ESD?

Washington ESD does allow unemployment benefits if you quit for 'good cause' but it has to meet their specific criteria. The main reasons include: unsafe working conditions, harassment or discrimination, significant changes to your job duties or pay, domestic violence situations, or medical reasons. You'll need solid documentation though - they don't just take your word for it.

I went through this exact situation last year. Washington ESD approved my claim after I quit due to workplace harassment. The key is proving you tried to resolve it first and that quitting was your last reasonable option. Make sure you file a formal HR complaint before you quit if possible.

Just so you know, if you quit without good cause, Washington ESD will disqualify you for benefits. But harassment definitely counts as good cause if you can prove it. The tricky part is reaching someone at Washington ESD to actually discuss your situation - their phone lines are always jammed. I used Claimyr.com last month to get through to an actual agent and they explained exactly what documentation I needed for my good cause quit. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The Washington ESD good cause standards are pretty strict though. They look at whether you made reasonable efforts to keep your job first. If you just walk out without trying to fix the problem through proper channels, they might deny your claim even if the harassment was real.

ugh i quit my job last month bc my boss was awful but didnt know about the good cause thing. washington esd denied my claim and now im screwed financially. wish id known this stuff before i walked out

Medical reasons are another valid good cause for quitting. If your doctor says you can't continue in your current job due to health issues, Washington ESD will usually approve your claim. But again, you need medical documentation.

Whatever you do, make sure you understand Washington ESD's definition of 'good cause' before you quit. It's not the same as just having a good reason - it has to meet their specific legal standards. I'd suggest talking to an employment attorney if the harassment is severe.

Don't forget that even if you qualify for good cause, you still have to meet all the other Washington ESD requirements - like actively looking for work and being available for work. The good cause just gets you past the 'voluntarily quit' disqualification.

One more thing - if you do quit for good cause, make sure you clearly explain your reasons when you file your initial unemployment claim. Don't just say 'I quit' - be specific about the harassment and that you believe it constitutes good cause under Washington ESD guidelines.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my own good cause situation but their phone system is impossible. Might try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier.

Just remember that quitting should be your last resort. Once you quit, you're at the mercy of Washington ESD's adjudication process which can take weeks or even months. If there's any way to resolve the harassment while keeping your job, that's probably safer financially.

The Washington ESD website has a section about voluntary quit situations that might be helpful. Look under the 'Eligibility Requirements' section - it lists all the good cause reasons they recognize.

Whatever you decide, document EVERYTHING from now on. Dates, times, witnesses, your attempts to resolve it through proper channels. Washington ESD will want to see a clear pattern of problems and your efforts to fix them before approving your claim.

been in a similar spot and the waiting for washington esd to decide is brutal. took them 6 weeks to approve my good cause claim and i was broke by then. make sure you have some savings if possible

If you do end up quitting and filing for unemployment, be prepared for your employer to contest your claim. Most companies automatically fight good cause quit claims, which can drag out the process even longer.

I used Claimyr too when I needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my voluntary quit situation. The agent I spoke with was really helpful in explaining exactly what evidence I needed to submit. Worth the small cost when you consider how much time you save not calling over and over.

Don't forget that Washington ESD will likely schedule a phone interview as part of the adjudication process for a voluntary quit claim. They'll ask detailed questions about your reasons for quitting and what you did to try to resolve the situation first.

The good news is that if Washington ESD approves your good cause quit, you'll get benefits just like if you were laid off. No waiting period or reduced benefits - you just have to prove the quit was justified.

Make sure you file your claim right away after you quit if you decide to go through with it. There are time limits on when you can file, and delays can complicate your case.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. Workplace harassment is serious and you shouldn't have to endure it just to keep a paycheck. Washington ESD does recognize this as good cause, you just need to build a solid case.