A Record of Employment (ROE) is an important document Service Canada uses when assessing an Employment Insurance claim.

If you are fired, laid off, quit or experience another interruption of earnings in British Columbia, your employer will generally need to issue an ROE.

The Quick Answer: How long does an employer have to issue an ROE in BC? For many employees, an electronic ROE must be issued within five calendar days after the end of the pay period in which the interruption of earnings occurs. Different deadlines can apply depending on the payroll cycle or if the employer uses a paper ROE.

⚠️ Don’t wait for your ROE before applying for EI. You can start your application even if your employer hasn’t issued it yet.

On This Page:

What Is a Record of Employment in BC?

A Record of Employment is a federal document that summarizes important information about your employment and why your earnings were interrupted.

Service Canada may use your ROE to determine:

  • Whether you qualify for EI
  • How much you may receive
  • How long benefits may be paid

The ROE includes your employment dates, insurable hours and earnings, last day paid and the reason your employer issued the document.

💡 ROEs are federally administered. The basic ROE rules are therefore the same in BC and elsewhere in Canada, while your BC termination and severance rights are determined separately.

When does your employer have to issue an ROE?

An ROE is generally required after an interruption of earnings.

Common situations include:

How Long Does an Employer Have to Issue an ROE in BC?

The deadline depends on whether the ROE is submitted electronically or issued on paper.

Electronic ROE deadline

For employees paid weekly, every two weeks or twice per month, an electronic ROE must generally be issued within five calendar days after the end of the pay period in which the interruption of earnings occurred.

For monthly or every-four-week payrolls, the employer must generally issue it by the earlier of:

  • Five calendar days after the end of the pay period, or
  • 15 calendar days after the interruption of earnings begins

Paper ROE deadline

A paper ROE must generally be issued within five calendar days of the interruption of earnings or the date the employer becomes aware of it.

📌 The “five-day rule” does not always mean five days after your last shift. Your employer’s payroll cycle and filing method can affect the deadline.

Does your employer have to issue an ROE if you are fired?

Yes, generally. A termination normally creates an interruption of earnings requiring an ROE.

This applies whether your employer terminates you without cause or alleges misconduct.

Do you get an ROE if you quit?

Yes. Resigning will generally result in an ROE as well.

Whether you qualify for EI after quitting is a separate issue. Service Canada will consider why you left and whether you had just cause to resign.

How Do You Get Your Record of Employment in BC?

Most employers submit ROEs electronically directly to Service Canada.

You can access electronic ROEs through My Service Canada Account.

If your employer files electronically:

  • You don’t need to submit the ROE yourself
  • Your employer doesn’t normally need to provide a paper copy
  • You can view and print the ROE online

If your employer issues a paper ROE, you will generally receive the original and may need to provide it to Service Canada.

Can you apply for EI without your ROE?

Yes. Apply for EI as soon as possible after you stop working.

Don’t wait for your employer to issue the ROE. A delay in applying can affect your benefits.

What Do ROE Codes Mean in BC?

Block 16 identifies why your employer says your earnings were interrupted.

Common ROE codes include:

  • Code A: Shortage of work
  • Code D: Illness or injury
  • Code E: Quit
  • Code F: Maternity
  • Code M: Dismissal or suspension
  • Code P: Parental leave
🔎 Looking for a specific code? See our ROE Codes Canada guide for Code M, A, E, K and the other common reasons.

Does Code M mean you were fired for cause?

No. Code M means the employer initiated a dismissal or suspension.

It can also be used following an ordinary termination without cause. Code M does not by itself prove misconduct or eliminate your right to EI or severance.

What if Your Employer Doesn’t Give You an ROE?

If you believe the deadline has passed:

  1. Check My Service Canada Account. The ROE may already have been filed electronically.
  2. Contact your employer in writing. Ask whether the ROE has been submitted.
  3. Apply for EI anyway. Don’t delay your claim while waiting.
  4. Contact Service Canada. It can assist when an employer has not provided the required ROE.

What if the information on your ROE is wrong?

Your ROE should accurately reflect your employment information and why it was issued.

If the dates, hours, earnings or reason for separation are incorrect, ask the employer to fix them. An employer can issue an amended ROE to correct previously submitted information.

What if your ROE says you quit but you were fired?

Keep your termination letter, emails, messages and other documents showing what actually happened.

Provide Service Canada with your version of events. Your employer’s ROE does not automatically decide whether you resigned or were dismissed.

⚠️ If the ROE misrepresents how your employment ended, the issue may affect more than EI. It could also be connected to a wrongful dismissal or severance dispute.

Does Your ROE Affect Severance Pay in BC?

No. Your Record of Employment does not determine how much severance you are owed.

BC’s Employment Standards Act provides minimum notice or compensation for length of service when many employees are terminated without cause.

Those statutory amounts are only minimums. Many non-unionized employees may be entitled to substantially more under common law.

A full BC severance package may include:

  • Salary or wages
  • Benefits
  • Bonuses
  • Commissions
  • Other regular compensation

Depending on your age, position, length of service and the availability of similar work, severance can reach as much as 24 months’ pay.

➡️ Receiving an ROE or applying for EI does not mean you have accepted your employer’s severance offer or given up your right to pursue additional compensation.

What if your employer says you were fired for misconduct?

An allegation of misconduct does not automatically mean that your employer had just cause to terminate you without severance.

If your employer uses Code M and tells you that you are owed nothing, have the termination reviewed before accepting that position.

More Record of Employment resources

For the full federal rules, see our Record of Employment Canada guide.

Work outside BC? See:

Speak With a BC Employment Lawyer About Your ROE and Termination

Most routine Record of Employment issues can be resolved through your employer or Service Canada.

However, legal advice is important if your ROE says you quit when you did not, your employer alleges misconduct or you were terminated and offered an inadequate severance package.

The BC employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can review your termination letter, ROE, employment contract and severance offer.

We can explain your rights, determine how much compensation you may be owed and communicate with your employer on your behalf to get it—you could receive as much as 24 months’ pay.

The process doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Our team can handle the legal issues while you focus on your next step.

⚠️ Unionized employees must generally contact their union about disputes involving termination or the reason their employment ended.

Problems With Your Record of Employment?

Speak with a BC employment lawyer if your ROE is connected to a disputed resignation, dismissal or inadequate severance package.

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