Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1)
Do I have
to look for work? You must be actively seeking work unless you are:
(a) Attached to an employer as defined in WAC
192180-005(1);
(b) Participating in
a training program approved by the commissioner; or
(c) An active registered electrical
apprentice in an approved electrical apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04
RCW and chapter 296-05 WAC.
(2)
When should I start my job
search? You must look for work every week that you file a claim for
benefits, unless you are exempt under subsection (1) of this section.
(3)
What are my weekly job search
requirements?
(a) At a minimum, you
must:
(i) Make job search contacts with at
least three employers each week;
(ii) Participate in three approved in-person
job search activities through the WorkSource office or the equivalent public
employment agency in the state in which you reside; or
(iii) Do any combination of employer contacts
or in-person job search activities for a total of three.
(b) Based on your individual circumstances,
such as your occupation, experience, or labor market area, the department may
issue you a directive requiring more than three employer contacts or job search
activities each week.
(c) If you
are a member of a referral union you must be registered with your union,
eligible for and actively seeking dispatch, and comply with your union's
dispatch or referral requirements (see WAC
192-210-120). Your benefits may
be denied for any weeks in which you fail to meet these requirements and you
may be directed to seek work outside of your union.
(4)
What is a "job search
contact"? A job search contact is one of the following activities:
(a) Contacting an employer to inquire about a
job, unless you know the employer is not hiring;
(b) Submitting an application for a job with
an employer, unless you know the employer is not hiring;
(c) Taking an exam required as part of the
application process for a new job;
(d) Interviewing for a job;
(e) Taking a civil service exam;
(f) Adding a resume to an online job
board;
(g) Creating a user profile
on a professional networking site;
(h) Participating in work-related networking
events, such as a job fair;
(i)
Registering for work with a temporary work agency, placement firm, or
educational institution with job placement offices; and
(j) Other approved activities listed on the
department's website at the time the weekly claim was filed.
(5)
What is an "in-person
job search activity"?
(a) An in-person
job search activity is an activity provided or monitored through the WorkSource
office or the equivalent public employment agency in the state in which you
reside that will assist you in your reemployment efforts. It includes :
(i) Job search workshops;
(ii) Training classes;
(iii) Creating a reemployment plan;
(iv) Creating an application cover letter or
resume;
(v) Obtaining and using
labor market and career information;
(vi) Participating in reemployment services
and eligibility assessment (RESEA) activities;
(vii) Participating in skills assessment for
occupational matching;
(viii)
Establishing an online account with your local WorkSource office; or
(ix) Other facilitated services provided or
monitored by WorkSource staff or other affiliated agencies and approved by the
local WorkSource office.
(b) For claimants residing in Washington
state, an inperson job search activity must be documented in the department's
computer system to qualify. For interstate claimants, the activity must be
documented by the equivalent public employment agency in the state in which you
reside.
(c) You do not need to
physically visit a WorkSource office or the equivalent public employment agency
in the state in which you reside in order for the activity to count as an
in-person job search activity. Job search activities that are provided or
monitored remotely or virtually also count as a valid in-person job search
activity.
(6)
What
is a directive? A directive is a written notice from the department
telling you that specific methods of job search are required in order to meet
the job search requirements. A written directive need not have been issued to
deny benefits for failure to meet the job search requirements in subsection (3)
of this section, unless the directive is required under WAC
192-180-012.
(7)
When is a directive issued?
The department can issue a directive to clarify or to increase the job search
requirements you must meet. Examples include, but are not limited to, cases in
which you need to:
(a) Increase the number of
employer contacts each week;
(b)
Change your method of looking for work;
(c) Expand the geographic area in which you
look for work;
(d) Look for work in
a secondary occupation; or
(e)
Accurately record your job search activities as required by WAC
192-180-015.
(8)
When is the directive
effective? The directive is effective when it is given in writing by the
department. It stays in effect until a new written directive is given; the
directive is rescinded in writing; your benefit year ends; or you receive final
payment on any extension of benefits related to that benefit year, whichever is
later.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
50.12.010,
50.12.040, and
50.20.010. 10-11-046, §
192-180-010, filed 5/12/10, effective 6/12/10. Statutory Authority:
RCW
50.12.010 and
50.12.040. 07-22-055, §
192-180-010, filed 11/1/07, effective 12/2/07. Statutory Authority:
RCW
50.12.010,
50.12.040,
50.12.042. 05-01-076, §
192-180-010, filed 12/9/04, effective 1/9/05. Statutory Authority:
RCW
50.12.010 and
50.12.040. 99-13-002, §
192-180-010, filed 6/3/99, effective
7/4/99.
