FAQ: I’m at high risk for illness. Can I quit or turn down a risky job?
Under a new Washington state law (SB 5061), during a public health emergency, workers who are at high risk of contracting the disease that is causing the emergency, or who reside with someone at high risk, may voluntarily quit their jobs and may be eligible for unemployment benefits.The workplace safety will be taken into account when ESD assesses the person’s availability to work. That part of the law took effect April 5, 2021.
Effective February 8, 2021, workers at high risk or who reside with someone at high risk, will also be considered available to work if they are available for work that can be performed at home. That means they may turn down a job that poses high risk to them.