Workforce Adjustment
October 31, 2012
Workforce adjustment and employment insurance
The PSAC has learned that many departments are entering Code “E” (quit) on the Record of Employment for employees departing from the public service due to workforce adjustment, specifically for those departing as a result of choosing Option (b) (Transition Support Measure) or Option (c) (Education Allowance).
This means that opting employees will have a difficult time in accessing Employment Insurance because the EI system largely prohibits payments to those who quit their jobs.
This is the result of a decision made by Treasury Board and its interpretation of the Employment Insurance legislation. The PSAC and other federal bargaining agents have informed Treasury Board that we believe that this decision should be reversed, because the EI Regulations allow for benefits to be collected in a “workforce reduction” situation.
Like all Canadians, federal public service workers have paid into the employment insurance fund, some without applying for benefits for their entire careers. And like all Canadians, they should be entitled to collect insurance benefits when their services are no longer required by their employer.
All employees whose Record of Employment lists “quit” have the right to appeal any decision made by the EI Commission. There is no cost to file an appeal, but there is a 30-day time limit for filing the appeal.
Information about how to file an appeal can be found at the following website:
http://www.ei.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml
Date Modified : 2012/10/31
