In a recent case out of Ontario, an employer intentionally delayed submitting an employee's Record of Employment after terminating her (approx. 5 month delay), and further, wrongfully declared on the ROE that she had quit. As a result, the employee's application for EI benefits was initially denied and she suffered financial hardship.

Although a relatively modest damages award, in short, this case serves as a reminder that employers should refrain from playing "hardball" with employees.

As a side note, interestingly, the writer of this article believes that this may be the first time that "Inconvenience Damages" for the delayed issuance of an ROE have been awarded in a wrongful dismissal action.