Yamauchi v. Department of Employment Security

The Department of Employment Security denied petitioner Susan Jo Yamauchi unemployment benefits pursuant to RCW 50.20.050. This judgment was reversed by the Superior Court, whose decision was in turn reversed by the Court of Appeals. We disagree with the Court of Appeals and reinstate the decision of the trial court awarding compensation to the petitioner.

Susan Jo Yamauchi was employed by the Franklin County PUD from June 1974 until April 21, 1978. At the time she left her job, she was a PBX (switchboard) operator and earned $990 per month.

Yamauchi left her job in Pasco on April 21 to be…