Why did I get denied Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

I talked to HR three times but they said it was just 'personality conflicts' and wouldn't do anything formal. Should I have demanded they put something in writing?

Yes, documentation is crucial. Without formal complaints or written records, Washington ESD considers it a voluntary quit. You can still appeal the decision though.

Did you end up appealing? I'm thinking about it but don't know if it's worth the hassle.

yeah i appealed and won but it took 3 months. get a lawyer if you can afford it

Is that service legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks but can never get through.

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical at first but they actually got me connected to an agent within a few hours. Way better than spending all day redialing.

I used Claimyr too when I was dealing with an overpayment issue. Saved me so much time and frustration trying to reach someone at Washington ESD.

What counts as 'trying to resolve the issue'? I complained to HR multiple times but they didn't take it seriously.

You should have documentation of those complaints. Even if HR didn't act, the fact that you reported it formally helps your case. Do you have emails or written records of your complaints?

I'm starting to feel the same way. It's like they want to make it as hard as possible to get benefits.

While the system can be frustrating, denials often happen because people don't understand the specific requirements. Appeals are successful when you have proper documentation.

I have some emails but not everything. My supervisor mostly yelled at me in person or over the phone.

Write down everything you remember with dates and times. Even without perfect documentation, a detailed timeline can help your case.

Appeals can take time but many are successful. The key is having proper documentation and understanding what constitutes 'good cause' under Washington law.

whatever you say but ive been fighting this for 6 months and still nothing

I asked HR about transferring but they said there weren't any openings in other departments. Was I supposed to just stay and deal with the harassment?

That's exactly the kind of documentation you need for your appeal - proof that you requested a transfer and were denied. Get that in writing from HR if possible.

How much does that cost? I'm already struggling financially.

It's worth checking out their website for details. For me, the time saved was worth it since I was able to get my claim resolved much faster.

What kind of help? Like a lawyer or something else?

You can get free legal aid through some nonprofits, or there are services that help with unemployment appeals. Research your options.

How long did your appeal take? I'm worried about paying bills while waiting.

About 2 months but I got back pay once I won. Don't give up!

Did she end up winning? I'm wondering if it's worth the fight.

yeah she won but it was really stressful. washington esd makes you jump through so many hoops

We had a handbook but the grievance procedure was just 'talk to your supervisor' which was obviously not an option in my case.

That's actually helpful for your appeal - if the grievance procedure was inadequate for your situation, that strengthens your case.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm definitely going to appeal this.

What if I don't have a lot of written evidence? Most of the harassment was verbal.

Witness statements can help, and your own detailed written account of events with dates and times. Any documentation of your attempts to resolve the issue is crucial.

What was your reason? I'm starting to think they deny everyone initially.

they said i was fired for misconduct but i was just 5 minutes late a few times. total bs

That gives me hope. I'm going to start working on my appeal this weekend.

I've never heard of constructive discharge. Is that different from voluntary quit?

Yes, constructive discharge is when you're forced to quit due to intolerable working conditions. It's treated more like being fired than quitting voluntarily.

Everyone keeps mentioning Claimyr. I might have to check that out since I can never get through to Washington ESD.

It really works. I was amazed how quickly they got me connected after I'd been trying for weeks on my own.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I feel much more prepared to fight this now.