(1) Suitable work for an individual is employment in an occupation in keeping with the individual’s prior work experience, education, or training and if the individual has no prior work experience, special education, or training for employment available in the general area, then employment which the individual would have the physical and mental ability to perform. In determining whether work is suitable for an individual, the commissioner shall also consider the degree of risk involved to the individual’s health, safety, and morals, the degree of risk to the health of those residing with the individual during a public health emergency, the individual’s physical fitness, the individual’s length of unemployment and prospects for securing local work in the individual’s customary occupation, the distance of the available work from the individual’s residence, and such other factors as the commissioner may deem pertinent, including state and national emergencies.

(2) For individuals with base year work experience in agricultural labor, any agricultural labor available from any employer shall be deemed suitable unless it meets conditions in RCW 50.20.110 or the commissioner finds elements of specific work opportunity unsuitable for a particular individual.

(3) For part-time workers as defined in RCW 50.20.119, suitable work includes suitable work under subsection (1) of this section that is for seventeen or fewer hours per week.

(4) For individuals who have qualified for unemployment compensation benefits under *RCW 50.20.050 (1)(b)(iv) or (2)(b)(iv), as applicable, an evaluation of the suitability of the work must consider the individual’s need to address the physical, psychological, legal, and other effects of domestic violence or stalking.

*Reviser’s note: RCW 50.20.050 was amended twice during the 2009 legislative session, changing the subsection numbering.

Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2021 c 2: See notes following RCW 50.04.323.

Retroactive application—2006 c 13 §§ 8-22: See note following RCW 50.04.293.

Conflict with federal requirements—Part headings not law—Severability—2006 c 13: See notes following RCW 50.20.120.

Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—Effective date—2003 2nd sp.s. c 4: See notes following RCW 50.01.010.

Effective date—1989 c 380 §§ 78-81: See note following RCW 50.04.150.

Conflict with federal requirements—1989 c 380: See note following RCW 50.04.150.

Effective dates—Construction—1977 ex.s. c 33: See notes following RCW 50.04.030.

Effective date—1973 1st ex.s. c 158: See note following RCW 50.08.020.