Best 14 weeks pilot project and its impact on the Record of Employment (ROE)

Information for Employers and Payroll Professionals

Three new Employment Insurance (EI) pilot projects were announced on February 23, 2005 following the Government of Canada Budget. These pilot projects are aimed at improving the EI Program for claimants residing in 23 EI economic regions. These projects will come into effect in the fall of this year. 

The pilot project, known as the Best 14 Weeks was implemented on October 30, 2005. It has particular significance for employers. This three-year pilot targets 23 EI regions and impacts employers with workers who live in these regions. EI benefit rates will be calculated based on the highest 14 weeks of insurable earnings over the last 52 weeks. The new benefit rate calculation creates the need for the equivalent of 53 weeks — 52 plus one week extra — of pay period information versus the current 27 weeks of information requested on the Record of Employment (ROE). 

How does this affect employers and payroll professionals?

Employers with workers who live in these economic regions will be requested to provide the equivalent of 53 weeks of pay period information in Block 15C on the ROE to support the calculation of EI claims. Employers are not required to change their payroll period but will provide the information by their pay period type for the equivalent of the previous 53 weeks.

To provide support during and after implementation, Service Canada will do the following:

• The electronic transmission of ROE information —ROE Web— has been changed to the 53 weeks format;
• Provide detailed procedures on filling out the paper and laser ROE;
• Provide software vendors with systems specifications to incorporate changes to their software packages;
• The ROE paper and ROE Laser versions will be maintained;
• Employers using laser and/or paper are being asked to provide payroll information by pay period in Block 15C on the ROE for the previous 53 weeks;
• Internal administrative procedures to minimize calls to employers are being followed;
• Support employers to sign up for ROE Web to provide the payroll information. 

Service Canada developed this approach in consultation with employer groups. The easiest way for employers to adapt to the change will be to use ROE Web. ROE Web is convenient, easy to use and your payroll data is secure. To know more on the user specifications for the 53-week version of ROE Web...  

The new ROE Web version is now available.  

Service Canada is committed to minimizing the impact of this pilot on employers while trying to improve the EI program for all Canadians.  We will continue to work closely with payroll service providers, software vendors, employers and employer associations to provide support. For more information on the Best 14 Weeks pilot project, see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)...