Records of Employment: Information for Employers and Employees

Records of Employment for Employers

As an employer, you are required to issue a Record of Employment (ROE) each time one of your employees experiences an interruption of earnings. For example, an ROE would be issued when an employee is laid off, terminated, or resigns.

There are several ways you can issue ROEs, including:

• Records of Employment on the Web
• ROE Secure Automated Transfer

Records of Employment on the Web (ROE Web)

ROE Web is a secure, Web-based application that enables you to create, submit, and print 53-week ROEs electronically.

ROE Web allows you to:

• save time;
• reduce your paper burden;
• align ROE issuance with your pay cycle; and
• improve the quality and accuracy of your ROEs.

To learn more about the benefits of ROE Web, or to register your organization, visit the ROE Web homepage.

ROE Secure Automated Transfer (SAT)

In some cases, you or your Payroll Service Provider (PSP) may want to submit electronic ROEs but are looking for a solution other than ROE Web. In these cases, ROE SAT can be used to transfer ROE data directly to Service Canada.

ROE SAT is a secure, server to server file transfer service from you or your PSP to Service Canada. To use ROE SAT, you must build your own interface within the specifications provided by Service Canada. The ROE SAT application protects the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of data exchanged using Public Key Infrastructure, which uses the highest level of security. For more information on ROE SAT or to obtain the interface specifications, contact the Employer Contact Centre.

More information for employers:

• Variable Best Weeks for Employers
• Changes to Regulation 19 of the EI Act and how they impact the Record of Employment
• Changes to Regulations Concerning Electronic ROEs 
• Employment Insurance(EI) formula to calculate insurable earnings of teachers working on contract - 53 weeks; 27 weeks
• How to Complete the ROE Form – User Guide
• How to Complete the ROE form for self-employed fishers
• How to Complete the ROE for Teachers and Other School-Board Employees
• How to order ROE forms
• Phase out of Record of Employment Laser print (ROE Laser)
• ROE Secure Automated Transfer (ROE SAT) 4.0 – User guide

Records of Employment for Employees

What is a Record of Employment?

The Record of Employment (ROE) is the form that your employer must complete when you stop working and experience an interruption of earnings. Your employer must issue it even if you do not intend to claim Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. Your ROE provides information on your employment history. It is the single most important document used by employees in establishing a claim for EI.

Missing ROEs can delay the processing of your claim. Before you apply for EI benefits, you should ask your employer if your ROE will be issued in paper format or if it will be submitted electronically to Service Canada. Copies of paper ROEs are yellow and their serial number starts with “A, E, L or K”. Copies of electronic ROEs have a serial number that starts with “W” or “S”. If your ROE is issued electronically, no further action is required on your part.

Submitting your Records of Employment

Electronic Records of Employment

If your employer submits ROEs electronically to Service Canada, you do not need to request a copy of your ROE from your employer because you are not required to provide it to us. If you would like to see copies of any ROEs submitted electronically, you can view and print them online using My Service Canada Account.

Paper Records of Employment

If your employer(s) issue ROEs in paper format, you must request copies of all the ROEs issued to you during the last 52 weeks and provide them to Service Canada as soon as possible after you submit your EI online application. You must mail us your paper ROEs at the Service Canada Centre indicated when you complete your EI application.

If you are having difficulty obtaining your ROE from your employer, contact us at 1-800-206-7218.