Understanding the Record of Employment (ROE)
Understanding the Record of Employment (ROE) is essential for both employees and employers dealing with employment changes in Canada. The ROE is a critical document for applying for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and more. To assist you with common concerns and questions, we have compiled a list of FAQs regarding the ROE. These questions cover a wide range of topics, from basic definitions and access methods to detailed explanations about codes and employer responsibilities. Whether you are applying for EI, need to issue or amend an ROE, or are looking for general information, this article aims to provide clear and helpful answers.
What Is the Canada Record of Employment?
It’s a document that employers in Canada must provide to employees who experience an interruption of earnings, detailing their work history and earnings. It’s used to determine eligibility for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.
What Does a Record of Employment Look Like?
An ROE includes the employee’s personal information, the last day worked, reasons for leaving, total earnings, and hours worked, structured into various sections for clarity.
What Do the Codes on an ROE Mean?
The codes on an ROE are used to specify the reason for issuing the ROE. Each code has a specific meaning:
- Code A: Shortage of work (layoff): Used when the employee is laid off, for example at the end of a contract or season, a temporary or permanent shutdown, or when a position is eliminated.
- Code B: Strike or lockout: Used when the employee is on strike or has been locked out.
- Code C: Return to school: Service Canada is phasing out this code. For an employee leaving to return to school, use Code E (Quit). For a government-approved apprenticeship program, use Code J.
- Code D: Illness or injury: Used when the employee leaves work temporarily because they are ill or injured.
- Code E: Quit: Used when the employee ends the employment, for example to take another job, return to school or retire voluntarily.
- Code F: Maternity: Used only when a person who is pregnant or has recently given birth leaves to take maternity leave.
- Code G: Retirement: Used for mandatory retirement or a Work Force Reduction approved by Service Canada. A voluntary retirement is Code E.
- Code H: Work-Sharing: Used when the employee is in the Service Canada Work-Sharing Program.
- Code J: Apprentice training: Used when the employee leaves temporarily for a government-approved apprenticeship training program.
- Code K: Other: Used only in exceptional cases that no other code covers, such as a change in payroll, ownership or pay period type, or the death of an employee. Add an explanation in the comments.
- Code M: Dismissal or suspension: Used when the employer ends the employment for any reason other than a layoff or mandatory retirement, including termination during a probationary period, and when the employee is suspended.
- Code N: Leave of absence: Used when the employee takes a leave of absence, such as unpaid leave. It does not cover illness or injury, maternity, parental or caregiver leave, which have their own codes.
- Code P: Parental: Used when the employee takes parental or adoption leave.
- Code Z: Compassionate care or family caregiver: Used when the employee leaves temporarily to claim compassionate care or family caregiver benefits.
These codes are critical for determining an individual’s eligibility for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, as they provide Service Canada with the context of the employment separation. Employers must choose the code that most accurately reflects the reason for the employee’s departure.
How Can I Get a Record of Employment?
ROEs are always available online and employees can view or print copies using My Service Canada Account. ROE Web is a secure application.
What Is the Meaning of Record of Employment?
The ROE is the form—whether electronic or paper—that employers complete for employees receiving insurable earnings who stop working and experience an interruption of earnings. The ROE is the single most important document in the Employment Insurance (EI) program.
Is a Record of Employment the Same as T4?
A T4 is not the same as a record of employment. An ROE is the document required to complete when there is a lapse of insurable income for an employee, as explained above. It is a necessary form for an employer to complete and is directly related to whether an employee can make an Employment Insurance claim.
What Is the 7 Day Rule for ROE?
An interruption of earnings occurs when an employee has had or is anticipated to have seven consecutive calendar days with no work and no insurable earnings from the employer. This situation is called the seven-day rule.
Does ROE Show Reasons for Termination?
Dismissal, or Code M, is used when the employer ends the employment for any reason other than a layoff or mandatory retirement. That includes termination during a probationary period, and suspensions.
Can I Apply for EI Without ROE?
Note: Before you apply, please review the Eligibility section. Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits as soon as you stop working. You can apply for benefits even if your employer hasn’t issued your record of employment (ROE).
Do I Need an ROE if I Quit?
An ROE must be issued whenever employment ends, regardless of whether it was ended by the employer or employee. An ROE should also be issued when an employee experiences an interruption of earnings of more than one week – i.e., when an employee is laid off. You may be asked to provide an ROE by Service Canada.
Can I Get EI if I Get Fired?
In Canada, employees who are employed in insurable employment and lose their job through no fault of their own are generally entitled to receive employment insurance (EI) benefits. This means that employees who are fired without cause or are laid off can access support while looking to find work.
What If My Employer Doesn’t Give Me a Record of Employment?
Employers who fail to provide an ROE on time can be fined up to $2,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both.
What Disqualifies You from EI?
Deliberately not following instructions/disobeying orders from the employer. Stealing office property. Being persistently late for work after being warned. Destroying company property on purpose.
Can You Get EI if You Quit Because of Stress?
If an employee voluntarily leaves their job, they will not be entitled to collect EI benefits unless they had just cause to quit. To show just cause requires demonstrating all the steps taken to find an alternative to quitting or unemployment. Merely being unhappy at your job is not just cause for quitting.