Verizon Northwest, Inc. v. Employment Security Department

¶1 In late 2003, a number of managers employed by appellant Verizon Northwest, Inc., chose to participate in a Voluntary Separation Program for Management Employees (MVSP). The former managers (the employees) then applied for and were granted unem*912ployment benefits. This case requires us to interpret the regulatory “employer-initiated layoff” exception to the Employment Security Act (ESA), Title 50 RCW, rule that employees are disqualified from receiving benefits if they leave their employment “voluntarily without good cause” (the “good cause” provision). RCW 50.20.050.

¶2 After the Employment…