Canadian · Employment / EI
ROE reason code lookup.
Every Record of Employment carries a single-letter code in Block 16 explaining why it was issued. Look up what your code means, and how Service Canada tends to treat it for an EI claim.
14 official codes: A shortage of work, B strike/lockout, D illness/injury, E quit, F maternity, G retirement, H work-sharing, J apprentice training, K other, M dismissal/suspension, N leave of absence, P parental, Z compassionate care/family caregiver — plus retired code C.
Look up a code
Meaning
Pick or type a code and press Look up.
All 14 codes
| Code | Reason |
|---|
Why the code matters
Service Canada uses your ROE's Block 16 code as the starting point for adjudicating an EI claim — some reasons (a shortage of work) lead straight to a claim being paid; others (a voluntary quit or a dismissal) trigger a closer look at whether you had "just cause" to quit, or whether a dismissal was for misconduct as defined by the Employment Insurance Act. The code alone doesn't decide your claim — the comments your employer adds, and your own statements to Service Canada, matter just as much — but it is where every adjudication starts.
It is a serious offence under the Employment Insurance Act for an employer to knowingly enter a false or misleading reason on an ROE. If you believe your code is wrong, you can dispute it with Service Canada when you apply for benefits; you do not have to accept an incorrect code silently.
Sources, read 26 September 2026: canada.ca — Employers: how to complete the record of employment (ROE) form and the companion ROE Web user guide, both published by Employment and Social Development Canada / Service Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my ROE's reason code?
Block 16, "Reason for issuing this ROE," on the ROE itself. If your employer used ROE Web or ROE SAT (the two electronic filing systems), you can view your own ROE through your My Service Canada Account rather than waiting for a paper copy.
What does Code K, "Other," actually mean?
It's the catch-all for a standard reason that doesn't fit any other letter — the employer is required to explain the specific reason in the ROE's comments section. Whether it affects your claim depends entirely on that explanation.
Does Code E (Quit) automatically disqualify me from EI?
Not automatically. A voluntary quit disqualifies a claimant only if Service Canada finds there was no "just cause" as defined by the Employment Insurance Act (a defined legal test, not just "a good reason" in the everyday sense). Many quits with just cause — harassment, unsafe working conditions, a spouse's relocation, among others — do not disqualify a claim.
Is Code C still used?
Service Canada has phased it out. Employers are directed to use Code E (Quit) with a "return to school" notation, or Code J for a registered apprenticeship program, instead. You may still see Code C on an older ROE.
Reference only
This tool decodes the MEANING of a public code table — it does not read, store, or transmit any personal information, and it cannot look up your own ROE. For your specific claim, check your ROE directly or your My Service Canada Account, and confirm the code's effect on your claim with Service Canada.