Just to add one more thing - the notification your employer gets is pretty basic and factual. It's not like they're getting a detailed essay about why you left or anything dramatic. It's mostly just confirming employment dates and separation reason.

I went through this exact same worry when I filed my claim in Washington about 6 months ago. Yes, your employer will get notified, but honestly it was way less dramatic than I built it up in my head. The notice they receive is just a standard form - very bureaucratic and matter-of-fact. My former manager never even mentioned it to me when we ran into each other later. Most employers deal with these notifications regularly and it's really just part of normal business operations. Don't let anxiety about the notification process delay you from filing if you need the benefits - that's what the system is there for!

Hope this all works out for you OP. The waiting week is just a minor bump in the road once you get your claim sorted out.

Just to add another perspective - I went through this exact situation last year. The adjudication process can feel endless when you're waiting, but once it's resolved, the waiting week timing becomes much clearer. In my case, I was approved on a Tuesday and my waiting week was the Sunday-Saturday period that included that Tuesday. Even though I only had a few days left in that week when approved, the whole week counted as my waiting week. The key thing to remember is that you'll still need to file your weekly claim for that waiting week - you just won't receive payment for it. Make sure you report any job search activities and wages accurately during that week too, because it all still counts toward your ongoing eligibility. Hang in there - the process is stressful but it does get sorted out!

Last thing I'll add - make sure you have a reliable way to access the internet for your weekly claims. The Washington ESD system is mostly online now and you'll need to log in every week. Don't rely on just your phone if you can avoid it.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact situation last month. I was laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant and filed my claim the very next day online at esd.wa.gov. The whole application took me about 40 minutes, and I had my confirmation within a few hours. My first payment came exactly 3 weeks later (after the one-week waiting period and processing time). The key is having all your documents ready - I had my Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months organized beforehand. Don't overthink it, just get that application submitted as soon as possible!

Bottom line - file TODAY if possible. The Washington ESD system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Even if you were fired, you probably still qualify unless it was for something really serious.

I work in HR and can confirm - you absolutely should file immediately. There's no waiting period to submit your application, and every day you delay potentially costs you money. Since you mentioned it was for attendance issues rather than something like theft or violence, you'll likely qualify even though you were terminated. The key is being honest about why you were fired when they ask. Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify the details, so make sure you have documentation about any safety complaints you made. That could actually work in your favor if they retaliated against you for reporting legitimate concerns. Get that application in tonight!

While you're working on your appeal, don't forget to keep applying for jobs and doing your job search activities. If you win the appeal, you'll need to show you were meeting the job search requirements for all those weeks to get paid for them. The system is definitely frustrating, but staying on top of all the requirements will help if you eventually win.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this financial stress on top of an unfair decision. One thing I wanted to add - when you're writing your Petition for Review, make sure to cite specific WAC sections that support your case. For example, if this was a misconduct case, WAC 192-150-200 outlines what constitutes misconduct and the burden of proof requirements. Also, if your employer gave contradictory statements between what they told ESD initially versus their hearing testimony, that's a huge point in your favor. The Commissioner's office takes inconsistent employer testimony very seriously. Keep your chin up - the fact that you have documented evidence and clear employer contradictions gives you a much stronger case than many people who appeal. Focus on the legal errors and factual inconsistencies rather than the emotional impact (as hard as that is), and you'll have the best shot at success.