When must an employer issue an ROE?

Employers must issue an ROE within 5 calendar days of the first day of an interruption of earnings — typically the last day of work or the last day of paid leave. For paper ROEs, the employer has up to 5 business days to issue the document to you. For electronic ROEs submitted directly to Service Canada, the employer has 5 calendar days from the interruption. You do not always receive a paper copy if your employer files electronically — you can view it through My Service Canada Account.

What does the reason for separation code on my ROE mean?

Block 16 on the ROE shows a one or two-letter code indicating why your employment ended. Common codes: A = Shortage of work (layoff), B = Strike or lockout, D = Illness or injury, E = Quit (voluntary resignation), K = Other (with explanation), M = Dismissal (terminated by employer), N = Leave of absence, P = Parental leave, Z = Compassionate care leave. The code affects your EI eligibility — some codes (A=layoff) qualify immediately; others (E=quit) generally disqualify you unless special circumstances apply.

What if the information on my ROE is wrong?

If your ROE contains errors — wrong dates, wrong insurable hours, wrong reason for separation — contact your employer first and ask for a corrected ROE (an amended ROE). Employers can issue an amended ROE to Service Canada at any time. If your employer refuses or you believe the ROE is fraudulent, contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218. Incorrect ROEs can affect your EI benefit rate, number of benefit weeks, and whether your claim is approved.

Do I need to give Service Canada my ROE to apply for EI?

If your employer files ROEs electronically (which most do), Service Canada already has your ROE on file — you do not need to submit it manually. Apply for EI online at canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei within 4 weeks of your last day of work. If your employer issues a paper ROE, submit the original to Service Canada (keep a copy). Applying within 4 weeks ensures you do not lose benefit entitlement weeks due to a late application.

How many insurable hours do I need for EI?

The minimum insurable hours required to qualify for regular EI depends on the unemployment rate in your Economic Region at the time you apply. It ranges from 420 hours (in high-unemployment regions) to 700 hours (in low-unemployment regions). You must have worked these hours in the last 52 weeks or since your last EI claim, whichever is shorter. For special benefits (maternity, parental, illness), the threshold is 600 insurable hours nationally.

What Is a Record of Employment in Canada?

Q: What is a Record of Employment in Canada?

A Record of Employment (ROE) is a document your employer must issue when your employment ends or your regular work schedule is interrupted for a week or more due to reasons such as layoff, termination, resignation, maternity/parental leave, illness, or injury. Service Canada uses the ROE to determine whether you qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, your benefit rate, and how long you can receive payments. The ROE is one of the most important documents in the EI application process.

Short Answer

A Record of Employment is the document your employer files when your employment ends or is interrupted. Service Canada uses it to assess your EI eligibility, benefit rate, and duration. Your employer typically files it electronically — check My Service Canada Account to view it.

ROE Box Reference

Box	Description	Notes
Block 1	SIN	Your social insurance number
Block 2	Serial number	Unique ROE identifier
Block 3	Payroll reference number	Internal employer reference
Block 4	Employer’s name / address	Your employer
Block 5	CRA payroll account number	Employer’s CRA account
Block 6	Employee’s name	Your legal name
Block 7	Address	Your address on file
Block 8	First day worked	Start date of employment period
Block 9	Last day for which paid	Final paid day
Block 10	Last day worked (if different from Block 9)	Actual last day of work
Block 11	Final pay period ending date	End of final pay cycle
Block 12	Pay period type	Weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly
Block 13	Total insurable hours	Critical for EI eligibility
Block 14	Insurable earnings by period	Last 27 pay periods
Block 15A	Total insurable earnings	Total for the reported period
Block 15B	Vacation pay	Amount and timing
Block 15C	Statutory holiday pay	Amount and timing
Block 16	Reason for separation	One or two-letter code
Block 17	Date of recall	If return date is known
Block 18	Comments	Special circumstances
Block 19	Date issued	When ROE was filed
Block 20	Employer signature	Certified by authorized person

Reason for Separation Codes (Block 16)

Code	Meaning	EI eligible?
A	Shortage of work / layoff	✅ Yes
B	Strike or lockout	❌ No (during labour dispute)
C	Return to school	❌ Generally no
D	Illness or injury	✅ Yes (illness benefits)
E	Quit (voluntary resignation)	❌ Usually no (unless just cause)
F	Maternity	✅ Yes (maternity/parental benefits)
G	Mandatory retirement	✅ Yes
H	Work-sharing	✅ Yes (work-sharing program)
J	Apprentice training	✅ Yes
K	Other (explanation in Block 18)	Depends on circumstances
M	Dismissal	✅ Yes (terminated by employer)
N	Leave of absence	✅ Yes (depending on reason)
P	Parental leave	✅ Yes (parental benefits)
Z	Compassionate care	✅ Yes (compassionate care benefits)

EI Insurable Hours Requirement by Region

Regional unemployment rate	Minimum insurable hours required
Under 6%	700 hours
6.0–7.0%	665 hours
7.0–8.0%	630 hours
8.0–9.0%	595 hours
9.0–10.0%	560 hours
10.0–11.0%	525 hours
11.0–12.0%	490 hours
12.0–13.0%	455 hours
Over 13%	420 hours

Special benefits (maternity, parental, illness, compassionate care, caregiving) always require 600 insurable hours regardless of regional unemployment.

Insurable Hours: What Counts

Counts toward insurable hours	Does NOT count
Regular paid hours	Unpaid breaks/leaves
Overtime hours	Hours from contracts outside Canada
Statutory holidays paid	Volunteer hours
Hours during notice period (paid)	Self-employment hours
Part-time hours	Hours worked outside insurable employment

ROE Block 13 shows total insurable hours worked in the reporting period. This figure comes directly from your pay records — if it seems too low, ask HR to verify the payroll records.

How to Apply for EI Using Your ROE

Step	Action
1	Apply online at canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei within 4 weeks of your last day
2	Log in to My Service Canada Account — your electronic ROE is there if employer filed it
3	If you have a paper ROE, upload or mail it with your application
4	Answer all eligibility questions including reason for separation
5	Set up direct deposit in My Service Canada Account
6	Complete biweekly reports to certify your EI claim — required to receive payments

Apply within 4 weeks. Delayed applications result in fewer weeks of entitlement — benefit weeks are not backdated beyond the delay, except in limited circumstances.

Vacation Pay on Your ROE (Block 15B)

How vacation pay is paid affects your EI start date:

Vacation pay treatment	Effect on EI
Paid out with each paycheque throughout employment	Does not delay EI start
Paid as lump sum on termination	Allocated to weeks after your last day — delays EI start
“Embedded” in regular pay at premium (e.g., +4%)	No EI delay — already distributed

If vacation pay is allocated to weeks after termination, your EI waiting period doesn’t start until those allocated weeks pass. Service Canada allocates the lump sum across weeks at your regular weekly insurable earnings.

What to Do If You Don’t Receive Your ROE

Situation	Action
Employer files ROEs electronically	Check My Service Canada Account (myaccount.canada.ca) — ROE is there within 5 days
Employer hasn’t filed within 5 days	Contact employer HR/payroll directly
Employer refuses or is unreachable	Call Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218
Employer is insolvent/closed	Service Canada can facilitate through employer records

Bottom Line

Your ROE is the starting point for any EI claim. Check that Block 16 (reason for separation) correctly reflects why your employment ended, that Block 13 (insurable hours) matches your actual hours worked, and that the dates are accurate. Most employers now file electronically — view your ROE in My Service Canada Account and apply for EI within 4 weeks to avoid losing benefit weeks.