A Record of Employment (ROE) is one of the most important documents used by Service Canada when you apply for Employment Insurance.
If you are fired, laid off, quit or experience another interruption of earnings in Ontario, your employer will generally need to issue an ROE.
The Quick Answer: How long does an employer have to issue an ROE in Ontario? 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 a paper ROE is used.
On This Page:
- 1. What Is a Record of Employment?
- 2. How Long Does an Employer Have to Issue It?
- 3. How Do You Get Your ROE?
- 4. What Do ROE Codes Mean?
- 5. What if Your ROE Is Late or Wrong?
- 6. ROE, Termination and Severance
What Is a Record of Employment in Ontario?
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 it to determine:
- Whether you qualify for EI
- How much you may receive
- How long benefits may be paid
The ROE includes information such as your employment dates, insurable hours and earnings, last day paid and the reason the document was issued.
When does your employer have to issue an ROE?
An ROE is generally required after an interruption of earnings.
Common examples include:
- Being fired or dismissed
- Being temporarily or permanently laid off
- Quitting your job
- Taking maternity or parental leave
- Stopping work because of illness or injury
- Taking certain unpaid leaves
How Long Does an Employer Have to Issue an ROE in Ontario?
The deadline depends on whether the ROE is electronic or paper and, for electronic ROEs, how often you are paid.
Electronic ROE
If you are paid weekly, every two weeks or twice per month, the employer must generally issue the electronic ROE within five calendar days after the end of the pay period in which the interruption of earnings occurred.
For employees paid monthly or every four weeks, a different deadline can apply based on the pay period and the date the interruption begins.
Paper ROE
A paper ROE must generally be issued within five calendar days of the interruption of earnings or the day the employer becomes aware of it.
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.
The requirement applies whether you were terminated without cause or your employer alleges misconduct.
Does your employer issue an ROE if you quit?
Yes. Resigning generally results in an ROE as well.
Whether you can receive EI after quitting is a separate question. Service Canada will consider why you left and whether you had just cause to resign.
How Do You Get a Record of Employment in Ontario?
Most employers submit ROEs electronically directly to Service Canada.
You can view your electronic ROEs through My Service Canada Account.
If the employer files electronically:
- You don’t need to submit the ROE yourself
- Your employer doesn’t normally need to give you a paper copy
- You can view and print the ROE online
If your employer uses a paper ROE, you will generally receive the original and may need to provide it to Service Canada.
Can you apply for EI without an ROE?
Yes. Apply for EI as soon as you stop working.
You should not wait for your employer to issue the ROE. Service Canada warns that waiting more than four weeks after your last day of work could result in lost benefits.
What Do the Codes on an Ontario ROE Mean?
Block 16 of the ROE identifies why your employer says the interruption of earnings occurred.
Common 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
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 for an ordinary termination without cause.
The code does not 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:
- Check My Service Canada Account. The employer may already have filed the ROE electronically.
- Contact your employer in writing. Ask whether the ROE has been submitted.
- Apply for EI anyway. Don’t delay your application.
- Contact Service Canada. It can help if the ROE remains outstanding.
What if your ROE is incorrect?
Ask your employer to correct inaccurate information involving your employment dates, earnings, hours or reason for separation.
An employer can issue an amended ROE when previously submitted information needs to be corrected.
What if your ROE says you quit but you were fired?
Keep records showing what actually happened, including your termination letter, emails and messages.
Provide Service Canada with your version of events. Your employer’s ROE does not automatically settle a dispute about whether you quit or were dismissed.
Does Your ROE Affect Severance Pay in Ontario?
No. Your ROE does not determine how much severance you are owed.
If you are fired or permanently laid off, your compensation is determined separately under your employment contract, Ontario’s Employment Standards Act and potentially common law.
Ontario’s ESA provides minimum termination and, where applicable, statutory severance entitlements. Many non-unionized employees may be entitled to substantially more under common law.
A full Ontario severance package may include salary, benefits, bonuses, commissions and other regular compensation.
Depending on your age, position, length of service and the availability of similar work, compensation can reach as much as 24 months’ pay.
What if your employer says you were fired for misconduct?
An allegation of misconduct does not automatically eliminate severance.
If your employer uses Code M and claims you were fired for cause, have the termination reviewed before accepting that you are owed nothing.
More Record of Employment resources
For the full federal rules, see our Record of Employment Canada guide.
Work outside Ontario? See:
Speak With an Ontario Employment Lawyer About Your ROE and Termination
Most routine Record of Employment issues can be resolved with your employer or Service Canada.
However, you should get legal advice 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 Ontario employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can review your termination letter, ROE, employment contract and severance offer.
We can explain what happened, determine how much compensation you may be owed and communicate with your employer on your behalf to get it. Proper compensation can be 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.