I could really use some help.

[u/CapAppropriate6689]

If anyone has any advice on this page, I would really appreciate Any help. I went applied for unemployment, July 11th after strong encouragement from a friend that I should. I waited longer then I should because the employer told me I voluntarily resigned but my friend told me that I actually have a case of workplace discrimination and wrongful termination and should apply for unemployment. This is what I sent to unemployment: “I was forced to resign due to workplace discrimination and retaliation. After 19 years with Island County, I experienced escalating harassment from my supervisor that targeted my documented disabilities (PTSD, ADHD, Bipolar). Despite repeated requests for reasonable accommodations over 2+ years, I was denied help and subjected to verbal abuse behind closed doors and other hostilities by my supervisors.

In early 2025, this harassment caused a mental health crisis with suicidal ideation. My psychiatrist removed me from work, and I began state-approved PMLA leave on February 6, 2025.

My state-approved PMLA leave ran through May 3, 2025. Since this was a Saturday, my actual return-to-work date was Monday, May 5, 2025 - not May 1st as the County incorrectly claimed in an email to me and will likely try to incorrectly claim to you. I have the emails and claim documented.

On April 30, 2025, I saw my psychiatrist for clearance to return, but he determined I wasn't ready due to ongoing workplace trauma. That same day, I emailed HR requesting a leave extension and formally reporting the discrimination I had endured.

Instead of helping, on May 6, 2025 (the day after my actual return date), HR Director sent me an ultimatum demanding I return to work May 7th or they would consider it a "voluntary resignation." This was issued while I had just filed a discrimination complaint and requested medical leave extension.

I was forced to "resign" because continuing employment was impossible under these retaliatory conditions. A reasonable person in my situation would have felt compelled to leave. I did not voluntarily quit - I was constructively discharged in retaliation for reporting discrimination.

I am actively seeking new employment while pursuing legal action for these violations.”

I have been having no luck with legal assistance and my situation is becoming more and more desperate. Unemployment has me as active status pending adjudication and it has been six weeks.

[u/drossdragon]

The State gives employers 30 days (i believe) to respond to any unemployment claim where there is a difference between what the applicant says and what the employer has as the cause of leaving a job. The adjudicator cannot make a determination prior to that point, and if they are asking for additional information it may take longer than that.

In addition to that concern, it appears you filed approximately 8 weeks after you were let go from the job. If you are trying to backdate your claim to when you lost your job, there has to be a good and sufficient reason you did not file at the time. Not knowing you were eligible is not necessarily a “good reason.”

[u/CapAppropriate6689 → u/drossdragon]

So that was sent to unemployment by my boyfriend who wasn’t aware full of the situation. I had shut down because of everything and it took a lot of prying on his part to fully grasp the situation. He’s been trying to help me with the situation as best he can. I was made to feel by the county as though I was the problem and I believed them. I should have known better but in my mind I quit because that’s what they said. Anyway I’m only trying to seek assistance from the date applied. Is it worth calling unemployment to ask them about my claim?

[u/drossdragon → u/CapAppropriate6689]

If your claim starts from the day you filed then the back dating won’t matter