Will ESD deny unemployment if I refuse relocation 2,000 miles away?
My company just dropped a bombshell - they're eliminating ALL remote positions effective next month. I've been working from home for 3.5 years, and now they're telling me I need to relocate to their headquarters in Florida (I'm in Washington) or I'll be laid off. That's a 2,000+ mile move they're expecting me to make within 45 days! I have kids in school here, my partner has a job here, and we have family nearby. I'm going to decline the relocation, but I'm worried about my unemployment eligibility. Since technically my position still exists (just across the country), could ESD consider this a voluntary quit and deny my claim? Has anyone dealt with a forced relocation situation? I'm trying to figure out if I should try to negotiate a severance package instead of counting on unemployment benefits.
19 comments
Join the conversation
Dominic Green
I went through something similar last year. ESD should consider this a qualifying reason for unemployment. When they force you to relocate an unreasonable distance, it's considered a "substantial change in working conditions" which is one of the good cause reasons to quit. Just make sure you document EVERYTHING - the relocation demand, your response declining, any emails about the policy change, etc. When you file, clearly explain this was a mandatory relocation that wasn't feasible.
0 coins
Evelyn Xu
•Thank you! That's really helpful. Did you have any issues with your claim being approved or did it go through smoothly? I'm worried they'll try to fight it.
0 coins
Hannah Flores
According to WAC 192-150-100, you generally can't be denied benefits if your employer requires you to relocate to a place that's an unreasonable distance from your home. 2,000 miles definitely qualifies as unreasonable! Make sure you CLEARLY state in your application that your employer eliminated your remote position and required relocation to Florida as a condition of continued employment. Don't call it a "layoff" - specifically explain the situation exactly as it happened.
0 coins
Evelyn Xu
•Thanks for the specific regulation! I'll definitely reference that in my application. Do you know if I should wait until I'm officially laid off to apply or start the process once I give my official decision not to relocate?
0 coins
Kayla Jacobson
be carefully how u explain this!!! my cousin got denide when her job moved to tacoma from seattle becuz she told them she "quit" insted of saying the job location changed!!! ESD is REALLY picky about the words u use so dont say ur quiting!!!
0 coins
Dominic Green
•This is actually great advice. When you file, don't frame it as you quitting - because technically you're not. Your current job (remote work from WA) is being eliminated. The new job they're offering (in-person in FL) is a completely different position with different conditions. Frame it as a layoff with an unreasonable offer of alternative employment.
0 coins
William Rivera
I went through almost the exact same situation in 2025 when my tech company decided everyone needed to return to office. I was working remotely from Spokane and they wanted me in Silicon Valley. I tried calling ESD for a week straight to get clarification before applying and could NEVER get through to anyone. Kept getting disconnected or told the wait was 3+ hours. Super frustrating.
0 coins
Grace Lee
•Have you tried Claimyr? I was in the same boat trying to reach ESD about a different issue and kept getting disconnected. Claimyr got me connected to an actual ESD agent within 25 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a good video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The service basically navigates ESD's phone system for you and calls you when an agent is ready. Made a huge difference in getting my claim sorted out.
0 coins
Mia Roberts
This is considered a constructive discharge situation, not a voluntary quit. Key things for approval: 1. Don't resign until you get the relocation demand in writing 2. Formally decline in writing stating the distance makes it impossible 3. Let them terminate you - don't quit 4. File for UI immediately after termination 5. In your application, use the phrase "employer eliminated my current position and offered alternative employment at an unreasonable distance" I'm an employment attorney and see these cases frequently. Most get approved when properly documented.
0 coins
Evelyn Xu
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll follow these steps exactly. Do you recommend I try to negotiate any kind of severance before the termination happens, or would that potentially complicate my unemployment claim?
0 coins
The Boss
The rules generally say that if your commute increases by more than 25 miles (or something like that), you have good cause to quit. 2,000 miles is WAY beyond that threshold lol. But be careful with how you word things on your application. When they ask why you're no longer employed, choose "laid off due to business decision" NOT "quit" even though it might feel like quitting. ESD's system is really confusing with all these edge cases.
0 coins
Hannah Flores
•Actually, the specific regulation is WAC 192-150-100, and it doesn't specify a particular mileage increase. It states that requiring relocation to a place that would require "an unreasonable commute" or relocation of your residence is good cause to quit. For someone with family connections, school-aged children, and a partner with employment, 2,000 miles is clearly unreasonable by any standard. But agree completely about not using the word "quit" anywhere in the application.
0 coins
Kayla Jacobson
my frend at work says u should TOTALLY get severence!!!! dont just take the layoff make them PAY YOU to move ur job!!!! companies do this to avoid paying unimploymint!!! if u dont ask for severence ur loosing free $$$$
0 coins
Mia Roberts
•While it's absolutely worth negotiating for severance (which doesn't generally disqualify you from unemployment benefits in WA if properly structured), be careful not to sign anything that says you're voluntarily resigning. Many severance offers include language stating you voluntarily resigned, which could complicate your UI claim. If they offer severance, have it reviewed by an employment attorney before signing.
0 coins
Evelyn Xu
Thank you all so much for the advice! I just got the official notification today with the relocation details. They're offering a $5,000 relocation stipend (which wouldn't even cover half the cost of moving). I'm going to follow the advice here - document everything, decline in writing citing the unreasonable distance, let them terminate me, and then file for UI using the exact language suggested. I'll also try to negotiate a severance but will be careful about the wording in any agreement. Will update once I know more!
0 coins
Evan Kalinowski
Just be grateful you HAVE a job offer! Some of us would LOVE to have the opportunity to relocate for guaranteed employment instead of being laid off with nothing. Just saying...
0 coins
Dominic Green
•That's not really helpful. Moving 2,000 miles isn't feasible for everyone, especially people with families, local ties, or partners with careers. The OP has legitimate reasons for not being able to relocate, and they're asking about their legal rights regarding unemployment benefits, which they've paid into through taxes while employed.
0 coins
William Rivera
Quick update on my similar situation - I finally got through to ESD (thanks to the Claimyr recommendation from someone above - total game changer). The agent confirmed that being required to move more than 50 miles is considered an unreasonable distance in Washington State, and my claim was approved. Just sharing in case it helps your situation - sounds like you're on the right track with how you're handling it.
0 coins
Evelyn Xu
•That's really encouraging to hear! I'll definitely check out Claimyr if I run into issues reaching ESD. Right now I'm still in the documentation phase before the official layoff happens, but it's good to know there's a resource if I get stuck in phone limbo. Thanks for the update!
0 coins