Jasper Employment and Education Centre has released advice for employers during the COVID-19 crisis.
In Jasper, more than 50 employers have reduced operating hours or closed, including schools, the ski hill and Parks Canada, meaning hundreds of workers have been laid off.
"Due to the recent developments involving mass layoffs in Jasper, we are doing our part to stay informed and up to date on the correct process to follow," said JEEC executive director Ginette Marcoux.
As many employers are processing Records of Employment (ROEs), the centre shared the following advice:
- For听the COVID-19 pandemic听specifically,听if staff are being laid off due to a drop in business, please use听Code听A:听Shortage of听Work.
- If employees are sick or have self-quarantined due to COVID 19听use Code D: Sick.
- Parents unable to come to work due to听childcare/ School closures or听taking care of loved ones; use听Code K (other).听
- You have FIVE days to submit an ROE following the last paycheck issued, we recommend that you issue ROE's as quickly as possible. Incorrect ROE's will delay the processing of claims for your employees.听
- All employees on work visas WILL MOST LIKELY qualify for EI benefits听if they have enough hours.听Encourage everyone to apply regardless, if they do not qualify for EI benefits they may qualify for Emergency Support Benefits.听This is an amendment made for the COVID emergency. Access to these benefits is through the EI application process.
- Employees who may not typically qualify for EI due to a shortage of hours worked in the past year, WILL MOST LIKELY qualify for听Emergency Support Benefits. This has also been amended for COVID.听Access to these benefits is through the EI application process.
Marcoux said all laid-off workers should apply for EI immediately.
"Even if they are waiting for ROEs to be submitted, they can start the process by setting up their account with ," said Marcoux.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 780 852 4118, ext 1.
