Failing a UA

(Washington)

I was given a UA because they were suspicious. I told them I would fail it, that I had quit using the drug, and asked them to give me another chance by sending me to treatment. I was employed by this company for 11 years. The test came back positive and they terminated my employment. I hadn't used the drug for about a week before being tested and I told them that. I haven't used since and am attending weekly recovery meetings. Do i have a chance of getting unemployment benefits?


Hi Anonymous,

I doesn't look like Washington has a provision that allows benefits for your situation .. like California and a couple other states do.

The misconduct statute says:

With respect to claims that have an effective date before January 4, 2004, an individual shall be disqualified from benefits beginning with the first day of the calendar week in which he or she has been discharged or suspended for misconduct connected with his or her work and thereafter for seven calendar weeks and until he or she has obtained bona fide work in employment covered by this title and earned wages in that employment equal to seven times his or her weekly benefit amount. Alcoholism shall not constitute a defense to disqualification from benefits due to misconduct.

Since it specifies alcoholism .. I suggest you investigate further.

Washington State does have a list of Non-profits who offer assistance. The list is at the bottom of the page. Do yourself a favor and contact one of them.

Chris