Why do employers not want you to get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Employers contest claims because it affects their unemployment insurance tax rate. When former employees collect benefits, the employer's account gets charged and their tax rate can go up. It's basically about money - they're trying to keep their costs down.

I went through the same thing last year. My employer claimed I was fired for attendance issues even though I was actually laid off. The adjudication took forever and I almost lost my apartment waiting for it to be resolved. You need to gather any documentation you have about your layoff - emails, termination letter, anything that shows it wasn't for cause.

Have you tried calling Washington ESD to check on your adjudication status? I know the phone lines are always busy but sometimes you can get an update on what's holding things up. There's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to an agent faster - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Employers also contest claims because they don't want to set a precedent. If they let one person collect without fighting it, they think it makes them look bad when they contest future claims. It's all about their bottom line, not what's right for the employee.

ive been through this 3 times with different employers. They always try to claim misconduct or poor performance even when its clearly a layoff. Last time I had to do a phone hearing and everything. The good news is that if your layoff was legitimate, you'll usually win the appeal.

Another thing to consider - some employers have automatic policies to contest all claims, especially big corporations. They figure they'll win some cases and save money overall, even if they lose others. It's just a numbers game to them.

You should also know that even if they contest your claim, if Washington ESD finds in your favor, you'll get back pay for all the weeks you've been waiting. Keep filing your weekly claims even during adjudication - just mark that you're not working and looking for work.

I used to work in HR and can tell you that some companies have quotas for how many claims they contest. They literally have targets for denying unemployment benefits. It's disgusting but that's how corporate America works.

same thing happened to me but I was able to get through to someone at Washington ESD using that claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. The agent told me exactly what documents I needed to submit to speed up my case. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

The worst part is that legitimate workers get caught up in this system while people who actually committed misconduct sometimes still get benefits. The whole thing is backwards.

Keep in mind that during adjudication, you should still be looking for work and keeping records. If you get approved, they'll want to see that you've been actively seeking employment the whole time.

Also remember that if your employer's contest is found to be frivolous, they can face penalties. Washington ESD doesn't like when companies waste their time with bogus claims.

Try to get in touch with any coworkers who were laid off at the same time. If multiple people were let go, it's harder for the company to claim it was performance-related.

The system is designed to make it as hard as possible for workers to get benefits. Between the confusing application process, the long wait times, and employers fighting everything, it's no wonder so many people give up.

One more thing - if you do have to go to a hearing, be prepared to present your case clearly. Have all your documents organized and be ready to explain exactly what happened. Don't let them intimidate you.

This whole thread makes me realize how broken the unemployment system is. People who've paid into it for years can't access it when they need it most because employers want to save a few dollars on taxes.

Good luck with your case OP. It's frustrating but don't give up. Most people who were legitimately laid off do eventually get their benefits approved.

I'm going through something similar right now - my employer is claiming I violated company policy when I was actually part of a restructuring layoff. It's been 6 weeks and I'm running out of savings. The stress of not knowing when (or if) you'll get approved is almost worse than being unemployed. Have you considered reaching out to any local legal aid organizations? Some offer free consultations for unemployment disputes and might be able to help you navigate the process or identify if your employer is making false claims.