Quitting your job does not automatically mean that you can’t get Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in Canada. In some situations, you may still qualify for regular EI if you had a serious reason for leaving and quitting was your only reasonable option.
This can include situations involving harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your pay or duties, certain medical issues, or pressure from your employer to resign.
The Quick Answer: You can get EI if you quit your job in Canada if Service Canada determines that you had “just cause” for leaving. This generally means that, considering your circumstances, quitting was the only reasonable alternative. If problems at work caused you to resign, you may also have a constructive dismissal claim and could be owed severance pay—up to 24 months.
On This Page:
- 1. Can You Get EI After Quitting?
- 2. What Is Just Cause for Quitting?
- 3. Quitting Because of Stress or Medical Reasons
- 4. EI and Constructive Dismissal
- 5. What to Do Before You Quit
Can You Get EI After Quitting Your Job?
Yes, it is possible to get EI after quitting your job, but simply having a good reason for leaving is not always enough.
To receive regular EI benefits after voluntarily leaving your job, you generally need to show that you had just cause. Service Canada will look at your specific circumstances and whether there was a reasonable way for you to stay employed instead of quitting.
For example, before resigning because of a workplace problem, you may be expected to have taken reasonable steps such as:
- Raising the problem with your employer or HR
- Requesting changes or accommodation
- Asking for different duties, hours or supervision where appropriate
- Reporting harassment, discrimination or unsafe conditions
- Taking a leave of absence where that was a reasonable option
What is reasonable depends on the situation. In serious circumstances, remaining at work may not be a realistic option.
What Is Just Cause for Quitting and Getting EI?
“Just cause” for EI purposes generally means that quitting was your only reasonable alternative after considering all of the circumstances.
Situations that may support an EI claim after quitting include:
- Harassment or discrimination at work
- Unsafe working conditions that put your health or safety at risk
- A significant reduction in your wages or salary
- A major change to your job duties
- Excessive overtime or an employer refusing to pay overtime
- Serious problems with a supervisor that you did not primarily cause
- Being pressured by your employer or coworkers to quit
- Employer practices that are contrary to law
- Having reasonable assurance of another job in the immediate future
- Certain family obligations or the need to relocate with a spouse or dependent child
The existence of one of these circumstances does not automatically guarantee EI. Service Canada will still consider whether you had another reasonable option besides leaving your job.
What if I quit because I don’t like my job?
Being unhappy at work, wanting a better job or simply deciding that it is time to leave will not normally be enough to qualify for regular EI.
There is an important difference between having a good personal reason to resign and having “just cause” under EI rules.
Can I get EI if I quit for another job?
Potentially. Having a reasonable assurance of another job in the immediate future is one circumstance Service Canada can consider when determining whether you had just cause for leaving.
However, the specific facts matter. Don’t assume that simply hoping or expecting to find another job will protect your EI eligibility.
Can You Get EI If You Quit Because of Stress or Medical Reasons?
You may be able to get EI after quitting because of stress, illness or another medical issue if continuing to work was harmful to your health and leaving was your only reasonable option.
Medical evidence can be extremely important. For example, documentation from your doctor advising that you should stop working because your job is affecting your health may support your position.
Before resigning, it may also be appropriate to explore whether your employer can:
- Modify your duties
- Change your hours or schedule
- Move you away from a harmful workplace situation
- Provide medical accommodation
- Allow you to take a medical leave
If you are unable to work because of a medical condition, you may also qualify for EI sickness benefits or other disability benefits instead of regular EI, depending on your circumstances.
Can You Get EI If You Quit Because Your Employer Changed Your Job?
You may be able to receive EI if serious changes imposed by your employer effectively leave you with no reasonable option but to resign.
Major changes can include:
- A significant pay cut
- A substantial reduction in hours
- A demotion
- Major changes to your duties
- A significant relocation
- Serious harassment or a toxic work environment
These situations can also amount to constructive dismissal.
Constructive dismissal occurs when your employer makes a fundamental change to your employment without your agreement or creates circumstances that effectively force you out. Although you technically resign, the law may treat you as having been terminated.
If that happens, you may have more than an EI claim. You could also be entitled to a substantial severance package.
Can My Employer Say I Quit When I Didn’t?
An employer can’t simply label your departure a resignation and make that the end of the matter.
A resignation should reflect a clear decision by the employee to end the employment relationship. If you were pressured into resigning, given an ultimatum, subjected to major unwanted changes or otherwise forced out, the situation may need to be examined more closely.
This can affect both your eligibility for EI and whether you are owed severance.
If your Record of Employment says that you quit but you believe your employer actually terminated your employment or forced you to leave, explain the full circumstances when applying for EI and speak with an employment lawyer.
Should You Apply for EI If You Quit?
Yes. If you have already quit and believe you had just cause, you should generally apply for EI and let Service Canada determine whether you qualify.
Be prepared to explain:
- Why you left your job
- What happened before you resigned
- What steps you took to resolve the situation
- Why staying in the job was not reasonable
- Any conversations you had with your employer
- Any medical records, emails, complaints or other documentation supporting your reason for leaving
Service Canada may also contact your former employer before making a decision.
What if EI is denied because I quit?
A denied EI application does not necessarily mean that your employer acted legally or that you have no employment-law claim.
EI eligibility and your right to severance are separate issues. For example, an employment lawyer may determine that you were constructively dismissed even where there is a dispute over your EI benefits.
What Should You Do Before Quitting Your Job?
If workplace problems are making you consider resigning, don’t make the decision before understanding what you could be giving up.
Before quitting:
- Document what is happening. Save emails, employment agreements, pay records, schedules and other relevant information.
- Raise the issue where appropriate. Giving your employer an opportunity to address a problem can be important for both EI and employment-law purposes.
- Get medical advice if your health is involved. Your doctor’s recommendations can be important.
- Don’t sign a resignation letter prepared by your employer without advice.
- Speak with an employment lawyer before leaving. You may have alternatives to resigning or may be entitled to compensation.
This is particularly important if your employer has reduced your pay, changed your hours or duties, demoted you, relocated your job or created intolerable working conditions.
Can You Get EI If You Quit in Ontario, Alberta or BC?
The same basic EI rules apply whether you quit your job in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia or elsewhere in Canada because Employment Insurance is a federal program.
However, your separate employment-law rights can vary by province. A situation that leads you to quit may also trigger rights involving constructive dismissal, employment standards, human rights or severance under the law that applies to your workplace.
That is why it is important to consider both your EI eligibility and your employment-law rights before resigning.
Speak With an Employment Lawyer Before You Quit
If something happening at work is making you feel that you have no choice but to quit, speak with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before submitting your resignation.
Our employment lawyers can review the changes to your job, workplace conditions, communications with your employer and employment contract to determine whether you may have a constructive dismissal or other legal claim.
If your employer has effectively forced you out, you may be entitled to severance pay in addition to potentially qualifying for EI. Understanding that before you resign can prevent you from unknowingly giving up substantial compensation—as much as 24 months’ pay.
The process doesn’t need to be overwhelming. We can explain your options, advise you on what to do next and communicate with your employer on your behalf where appropriate.