RANT- Filing for UE

[shanendoah]

I am trying to file for unemployment. Here in WA it is best to start it before your last day, as you do not collect for a couple of weeks after you file, and you can file as soon as you know your last day of employment.
We have an online system. I am perfectly happy using the online system. Except that it gets to a point where it wants you "list" all of your employers for the last two years. Except that you don't enter them, you're supposed to pick from a list that they auto populate based on your information.
Here's the problem- I have had the same employer since 2004. My employer is NOT on the list they provide. Companies my employer does business with are on the list, but not my employer.
So, I decided I'd suck it up and open my claim via their phone system. I know Mondays are bad days, but we're on Wednesday.
Nope- I go through the prompts and pick open a new claim and I get the message - Sorry, we're too busy. Call back later.

And there's no number for just help on the website, nor is it possible to get to a person via their phone system. Because if you don't enter the numbers the phone system wants, it just hangs up on you.


Now, I'm pretty certain there is a way for me to add my employer not based on their list in the automated employment history section, and I guess I'll go do that. But really, how hard can it be to populate my one correct employer, considering I've been with them for 8 years, and they're a major employer in our state?

[The Captain]

You have my sympathy for souless automated systems.  We've been through this a few times and I have to grudginly admit that this is one area where IL is surprisingly effecient.

[shanendoah]

To make things worse- I go to their section to add an employer not showing on the list they pull. I use their search function and it brings up my employers two subsidiaries, but not my employer.

So, I call our HR department to find out if, by any chance, we are listed as something else in the state system, and no, they don't know anything about the state system and just refer people to the phone number that hangs up on you because they are too busy.

I decide to try and add my employer into their system. I have all the information needed. But it does ask for employment dates- I know them and give them- including my last day, which is in the future.
I don't think this will be a problem because in your list of choices for separation, there is one that says "I'm still working full time, but I expect to be laid off/have reduced hours". And I can pick that, BUT the system still tells me that my last working date is invalid.

I guess this means I have to apply via phone, but if a mid-morning wednesday is so busy they hang up on you, when isn't it that busy?

[973beachbum]

I guess this means I have to apply via phone, but if a mid-morning wednesday is so busy they hang up on you, when isn't it that busy? Most state websites say when they are least busy.  The few times I had to call the state and they were that busy I would pick Tuesday and call right before they opened.  the first few calls would say they weren't open yet but I just kept redialing.  When they were open I was one of the first in line.  I think I still had to wait but at least they didn't hang up on me.

[Opti]

If it is anything like NJ and special issues you want to call in the first 10 minutes or less when the phone lines open.


For the employer issue, is your employer listed as you would expect on your pay stubs or does it match anything in the system?

[alabamagal]

Sorry that is such a PITA.

When I got laid off, the company had ~100 employees laid off at the same time. The Department of Labor just set up a date and time for the whole group to fill out the paperwork with someone to help if there were questions. It was pretty easy. Very rare for a government system nowadays.

[Phoenix84]

Yeah, I remember applying for UE in 2010.  It was a pain in the ass and took the better part of a month.  Fortunately they gave me back UE from the time I was let go.