Employment Insurance Program

Eligibility Criteria

Summary

Employers and employees have an obligation to protect the EI Fund. Following recommendations made by the Canadian Labour Congress and the Canadian Manufacturers Association, the Report on Hirings program (ROH) was implemented to prevent, deter and detect abuse of the EI program. Under the ROH program, employers inform Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) of the first day worked of newly hired or rehired employees.

What employers can expect from HRSDC

• prompt and courteous service in both official languages;
• accurate and timely information on programs and services;
• access to labour market information to help you find workers;
• advice on proceeding with appeals of HRSDC decisions involving your business.

What HRSDC expects employers to do - EI program

• complete and issue Records of employment when employees stop working - see the document Record of Employment;
• accurately record the reason for separation, hours worked, gross earnings, and any money paid or payable on separation;
• advise employees to register for EI benefits within four weeks of separation;
• complete and return promptly all requests for information from HRSDC officials;
• advise HRSDC if someone is offered work with your business but does not accept it;
• contact HRSDC if you become liable for an arbitration award, settlement or similar payment for a former employee.

The EI Program is an hour-based system which gives credit for every hour worked, including overtime, and it provides a single universal standard upon which to judge the work history of all Canadians, regardless of their rate of pay. Employers can only withhold EI premiums until they reach the annual maximum of $39 000.

Interested to know what the new premium rate is for employers? Visit the "Employment Insurance Premium Reduced to $1.95 for 2005" page of the Department of Finance Web site .

If your business is facing temporary work slowdowns, the EI Work Sharing Program could be a positive alternative to layoffs for you and your employees. For more information, see the document Work Sharing Program.

Have you considered programs:

• to top-up an employee's EI benefits (SUB) while they are temporarily out of work - see the document Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Program;
• to reduce your EI premiums - see the document Employment Insurance Premium Reduction Program.

Appealing a Decision - see the document Appeals Concerning Employment Insurance Benefits.

Ontario Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/on.shtml