As a result of COVID-19, Service Canada has announced temporary measures to streamline the issuing of Records of Employment (ROEs) for staff.
If you have employees who stopped working because of COVID-19, you must issue their ROEs as soon as possible, even if they are currently receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This ensures they can access Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. If you have already issued their ROE, you do not need to issue a new one.
If you are paying your employees with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), please only issue ROEs for those who have an interruption of earnings when the CEWS ends.
If your employees are still off work when their CERB or CEWS end, they can apply for EI benefits. If they do, we will use their ROEs to determine if they qualify for EI benefits.
Block 16 – The Reason for Issuing the ROE
When the employee is sick or quarantined, use code D (illness or injury) in block 16. Do not add comments.
When the employee is no longer working due to a shortage of work because the business has closed or decreased operations due to COVID-19, use code A (shortage of work). Do not add comments.
When the employee refuses to come to work but is not sick or quarantined, use code E (quit) or code N (leave of absence). Do not add comments unless absolutely necessary.
How to Submit ROEs Electronically
Employers and Primary Officers who cannot authenticate and validate their identity through their Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account or in person at a Service Canada Centre can temporarily validate their identity online to complete the registration process. Visit the Records of Employment page on the Canada.ca website to learn the steps involved.
