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Labour & Employment Law Blog

Employment Insurance EI and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit CERB

Employment Insurance EI and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit CERB

With the COVID-19 and Coronavirus developments we have been getting a lot of telephone calls regarding a person’s eligibility for CERB or EI. Below is a brief outline setting out the eligibility requirements.

When it comes to CERB and EI, you should be aware of the following:

  • The CERB program will provide you $500 per week up to 16 weeks.
  • As a worker, to be eligible you have to be residing in Canada and be at least 15 years of age.
  • You have stopped working due to “reasons related” to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) or you are, otherwise, eligible to receive EI / employment insurance or regular sickness benefits. You may also be eligible if you have exhausted your regular employment insurance benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020.
  • In 2019, whether you were employed and / or self-employed, your income should have been at least $5,000 or in the 12 months prior to the date of the application and you did not resign your employment voluntarily.
  • When you are submitting your first claim, you cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and / or self employment income for 14 or more consecutive days in the four-week benefit period of your claim.
  • In subsequent claims for CERB, you cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and / or self-employment income for the entire four-week benefit period of your claim.

The government advises that when submitting a claim for CERB you must do so either through the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada, not both.

The above article is for general information purposes only, does not constitute legal advice or create a solicitor-client relationship. Because each case is unique and factually driven, if you have concerns with regard to the foregoing issues, please make an appointment with one of our lawyers or a qualified legal practitioner elsewhere. We represent clients in the Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, North York, Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, Newmarket, Aurora, Brampton, Mississauga, Barrie, Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa.

Legal Receptionist

Zeilikman Law is an employment law firm located in Vaughan, Ontario. We are looking to hire a legal receptionist to join our firm. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working as a receptionist at another law firm.

Location: Vaughan, Ontario.

Start Date: Immediately.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Full time. In-person only. This is not a remote work position.

Wages: 35,000 to 40,000 per year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage our firm’s multi-line telephone system to receive incoming calls.  Screen incoming telephone call inquiries to determine the nature of the telephone call and provide standard information related to our legal services.  Take and deliver messages and route incoming telephone calls to the appropriate staff person.
  • Answer general inquiries coming from the firm’s social media and website email.
  • Welcome in-person visitors upon arrival.  Direct visitors to the appropriate staff person and / or office or boardroom.
  • Organize in-person visitor schedule to prevent overlap and multiple bookings.
  • Receive, sort, and distribute daily mail and deliveries.
  • Arrange for couriers.
  • Keep front reception, kitchenette area and boardroom tidy.
  • Perform various clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, and faxing on an as-needed basis.
  • Process client or other payments.
  • May be asked to run minor errands outside of office such as attending post office to arrange a courier or pick up mail.
  • May be asked to assist other law clerks or lawyers of the firm as required and as appropriate.
  • Any other basic administrative duties or tasks as deemed appropriate.

Required Skills:

  • Basic knowledge of general office procedures including filing, faxing, and printing and copying.
  • Basic word processing computer skills.
  • Proficient in receptionist and telephone practices, etiquette, and decorum.
  • Professional attitude and appearance.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Positive customer service attitude is a must.
  • Must be able to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Education and Experience:

  • Highschool diploma or equivalent.
  • 1 – 2 years’ experience in an office setting with an emphasis in accounting, reception or clerical work is required.   We would prefer experience in a law firm environment.

Applications for this position should be sent via email to jennifer@zeilikmanlaw.com. All applications should include a cover letter, resume and at least two references. Only successful candidates will be contacted.