ROE Codes Canada: What Each Record of Employment Code Means

Every Record of Employment (ROE) includes a code explaining why the employer issued it. These codes appear in Block 16 and help Service Canada understand why your employment or earnings were interrupted.

Some of the most common codes are Code A for shortage of work, Code E for a resignation and Code M for a dismissal or suspension.

The Quick Answer: Does your ROE code determine whether you qualify for Employment Insurance? No. The code is important, but Service Canada makes the final EI decision based on the facts. A Code M does not automatically mean misconduct, and a Code E does not necessarily prevent EI if you had just cause for leaving your job.

On This Page:

• 1. Complete List of ROE Codes
• 2. What Does ROE Code M Mean?
• 3. Code A and Code E
• 4. Other Common ROE Codes
• 5. Which ROE Codes Qualify for EI?
• 6. What if Your ROE Code Is Wrong?

ROE Codes Canada: Complete Reason Code List

Service Canada uses the following main codes to explain the reason an ROE was issued:

Electronic ROEs may show more specific sub-codes, such as A00, M00 or M08. These provide additional detail but still fall under the main reason categories above.

What Does ROE Code M Mean?

Code M means dismissal or suspension. It is used when the employer initiates the separation for a reason other than a shortage of work or mandatory retirement. It can also be used when an employee is suspended from work.

This is one of the most misunderstood ROE codes.

Does Code M mean you were fired for cause?

No. Code M can be used when an employer terminates an employee even if there was no misconduct and the termination was without cause.

In other words, seeing “dismissal or suspension” on your ROE does not mean that Service Canada or your employer has legally established just cause.

What does M00 mean on an ROE?

M00 is the electronic ROE code for dismissal.

It does not tell you whether the dismissal was with or without cause. It simply indicates that the employer initiated the separation.

What does M08 mean?

M08 generally indicates that the employee was terminated during a probationary period because the employer decided the employee was not suited to the position.

Being terminated during probation does not automatically mean you have no employment rights. Depending on your contract and circumstances, you may still be owed termination or severance compensation.

What Do ROE Code A and Code E Mean?

ROE Code A: Shortage of Work

Code A is the most commonly used ROE code. It generally means the employee stopped working because the employer no longer had work available.

Code A may be used for:

• Temporary or permanent layoffs
• Company restructuring
• A position being eliminated
• End of a contract or season
• Temporary or permanent shutdown
• End of casual or part-time work

The electronic version may show A00 – Shortage of work / End of contract or season.

Code A is commonly associated with EI claims following layoffs, but the employee must still satisfy Service Canada’s other eligibility requirements.

ROE Code E: Quit

Code E means the employee initiated the separation.

It can include leaving to:

• Take another job
• Return to school
• Relocate with a spouse
• Retire voluntarily
• Leave for health reasons
• Care for a dependant

A Code E can make an EI claim more complicated, but it does not automatically mean benefits will be denied. Service Canada will consider whether you had just cause for leaving and whether quitting was your only reasonable option.

What Do Other Common ROE Codes Mean?

ROE Code K: Other

Code K is meant for unusual situations that do not fit another ROE reason code.

Examples can include a change in payroll or ownership, a change in pay-period type, the death of an employee or an ROE requested by Service Canada.

Code K does not automatically make you eligible or ineligible for EI. Service Canada will look at why the ROE was issued.

ROE Code D: Illness or Injury

Code D is generally used when an employee temporarily stops working because of illness or injury.

Depending on the circumstances, the employee may be applying for EI sickness benefits or receiving other disability benefits.

ROE Code N: Leave of Absence

Code N is generally used for an unpaid leave of absence that is not better described by another specific code.

Separate codes exist for maternity, parental, illness and qualifying family-care leaves.

Codes F, P and Z

• Code F: Maternity leave
• Code P: Parental or adoption leave
• Code Z: Compassionate-care or family-caregiver leave

These codes commonly support applications for the corresponding EI special benefits.

Which ROE Codes Are Eligible for EI?

There is no single list of ROE codes that automatically approves or denies EI.

Service Canada uses your ROE as an important part of the application, but it makes its own decision based on:

• Why your employment ended or your earnings stopped
• Your insurable hours
• Your earnings
• Your availability for work, where applicable
• Information provided by you and your employer

Can you get EI with Code M?

Yes, potentially. If you were dismissed without misconduct, you may qualify for regular EI benefits if you meet the other requirements.

If your employer alleges misconduct, Service Canada conducts its own assessment. The employer’s Code M does not automatically disqualify you.

Can you get EI with Code E?

Possibly. Employees who voluntarily leave without just cause generally do not qualify for regular EI.

However, benefits may still be available where Service Canada determines that you had just cause to leave and no reasonable alternative to quitting.

Can you get EI with Code K?

Possibly. Code K covers several different situations, so Service Canada needs to understand the actual reason for the interruption of earnings.

What if the Reason or Code on Your ROE Is Wrong?

Your employer must provide accurate information on the ROE. Service Canada warns employers that knowingly entering a false or misleading reason is a serious offence.

If you believe the reason is incorrect:

1. Keep your records. Save your termination letter, resignation correspondence, emails and other documents showing what happened.
2. Ask your employer to correct the ROE. An amended ROE can be issued.
3. Apply for EI. Don’t wait for the dispute to be resolved.
4. Give Service Canada your version. This is especially important where the employer says you quit or were dismissed for misconduct.
5. Get legal advice if the dispute involves your termination. The ROE issue may be connected to a much larger severance claim.

Does an incorrect ROE affect your severance?

Your ROE does not determine how much severance you are owed.

For example, Code M does not eliminate severance simply because your employer dismissed you. If there was no valid just cause, you may still be entitled to a full severance package.

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

Learn more about your Record of Employment

For deadlines, missing ROEs, online access and other general questions, see our Record of Employment Canada guide.

You can also find province-specific guidance:

• Record of Employment Ontario
• Record of Employment Alberta
• Record of Employment British Columbia

Speak With an Employment Lawyer About a Disputed ROE

Most ROE-code questions can be resolved directly with your employer or Service Canada.

However, legal advice can be important if your ROE says you quit when you did not, your employer alleges misconduct, or you were fired and told that you aren’t entitled to severance.

The employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia understand what happened when their employment ended and determine what compensation they are actually owed—it could be as much as 24 month’s pay.

We can review your ROE, termination letter, employment contract and severance offer, explain your options in clear language, and work to get the full compensation you’re entitled to.