What Is It?
The Record of Employment (ROE) is the document that determines whether you qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) and how much you’ll receive. When your employment ends or you have an interruption in earnings, your employer is legally required to issue an ROE within a specific timeframe. A missing, delayed, or inaccurate ROE can directly affect your EI application — and you have rights to challenge both.
When Must the ROE Be Issued?
Employers must issue (or transmit electronically to Service Canada) an ROE within:
- 5 calendar days after the end of the pay period in which the interruption of earnings occurred (for employers who submit ROEs electronically — which is mandatory for employers with 25+ employees)
- 5 calendar days after the day on which the employer becomes aware of the interruption (for paper ROEs)
An “interruption in earnings” occurs when:
- You are laid off
- Your employment is terminated
- You leave voluntarily
- You take an approved leave of absence (parental, medical)
- Your regular weekly hours are reduced below the threshold that triggers a waiting period
How to Access Your ROE
Electronic ROEs: Most employers submit ROEs electronically directly to Service Canada. You can view and download your ROE through My Service Canada Account (MSCA) at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account. You do not need a paper copy from the employer if it’s in MSCA.
Paper ROEs: If your employer still issues paper ROEs (permitted for smaller employers), they must give you the original copy. Keep it — you may need to submit it with your EI application.
Checking for Errors — Especially the Separation Code
The “reason for separation” code on the ROE directly affects your EI eligibility:
| Code | Meaning | EI Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Code A | Shortage of work (layoff) | Eligible for regular EI |
| Code E | Quit (voluntary leaving) | Potential disqualification |
| Code M | Dismissal (terminated for cause) | Potential disqualification |
| Code N | Leave of absence | Eligible depending on type |
If the code is wrong (e.g., your employer coded it “quit” when you were laid off, or “dismissed for cause” when you weren’t), the ROE can be amended. Service Canada will investigate discrepancies between what you report and what the ROE shows.
What to Do If the ROE Is Wrong or Missing
Wrong separation code: File your EI claim and explain your actual separation circumstances. Service Canada will request an explanation from the employer and may override the code based on evidence.
ROE not issued on time: Contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218. They can request the ROE from the employer. For employers who repeatedly fail to issue ROEs, Service Canada can issue a “10 ROE” based on payroll records obtained directly from the employer.
Employer is unresponsive: Service Canada has authority under the Employment Insurance Act to compel employers to produce ROE-related information. You do not need to wait indefinitely.
What Most People Don’t Know
- You can apply for EI without the ROE if the employer hasn’t issued it within 5 days. Apply using your best information — Service Canada will obtain the ROE from the employer.
- A paper ROE is not required if your employer files electronically. Many employees wait for a paper ROE unnecessarily. Check MSCA first.
- The ROE affects the amount of EI, not just eligibility. Errors in hours worked or insurable earnings affect your benefit rate. Review it carefully.
- Employers who falsify ROEs face serious penalties. Issuing a false ROE is an offence under the Employment Insurance Act. If you believe your employer falsified your ROE, report it to Service Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
My employer says they’ll mail me my ROE in 3 weeks. Is that legal?
No. The legal requirement is issuance within 5 calendar days of the end of the pay period containing the interruption. Contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218 to report the delay and apply for EI using your best estimates.
I quit voluntarily but under constructive dismissal — what code should the ROE show?
If you left due to constructive dismissal, the employer should use Code E (Quit) but you should explain your circumstances when filing for EI. Service Canada and the EI Appeal Tribunal have established that constructive dismissal is equivalent to a layoff for EI purposes.
I have multiple ROEs from jobs I held in the past year. Which ones do I need?
Service Canada automatically pulls electronic ROEs from MSCA. For EI eligibility, they look at your entire qualifying period — typically the last 52 weeks or since your last claim began. All ROEs from that period factor into your calculation.
Can I get an ROE if I’m on a temporary layoff that might become permanent?
Yes. Employers typically issue an ROE when the interruption of earnings begins (first week of layoff), even for temporary layoffs. If the recall doesn’t happen, you don’t need a second ROE — the original covers the period.