Alberta’s Changing Labour Law 

Need help understanding Alberta’s workplace legislation changes as a small business owner? Do you know the proper steps when it comes to implementing Alberta’s current labour law regulations? It’s important to make the right changes to your workplace and meet your employer obligations under the law.

On January 1, 2018, changes to Alberta’s Employment Standards Code came into effect and updated the minimum standards of employment. These amendments were made under Bill 17: The Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act, which greatly impacts the following areas:

  • Minimum wage
  • Overtime pay
  • Unpaid job-protected leaves
  • Employee termination
  • Holiday pay
  • Vacation pay

Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, it is important that you’re complying with Alberta’s ever-changing labour law rules and regulations.

The Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act amends both the Employment Standards Code and the Alberta Labour Relations Code. Here is what Alberta employers can expect from the labour law and employment regulation changes.

Employment Standards Code

Employers regulated by the Employment Standards Code should ensure that policies, procedures and operating practices are compliant with the changes. This includes the following areas:

  • Unpaid job-protected leaves
  • Hours of work and rest periods
  • Compressed work weeks
  • Pay deductions
  • Minimum wage
  • Overtime pay
  • Holiday entitlement and pay
  • Vacation entitlement and pay
  • Termination
  • Temporary layoffs
  • Youth employment

Bill 17 also includes enforcement and administration changes, including:

  • Providing Employment Standards Officers with authority to direct employers to conduct self-audits in a form prescribed by the Ministry of Labour; and
  • Increasing the time period to commence prosecution from one year to two.

Alberta Labour Relations Code

There are also numerous updates to the Alberta Labour Relations Code, either already in effect or being implemented in a phased approach. These include but are not limited to:

  • Union certifications
  • Dependent contractors and employees
  • Unfair labour practices
  • Secondary picketing

Is your business up to code? Ask us for advice.

Employer Line offers free HR advice to employers. If you have questions about Alberta’s changing labour laws, we can help. Call today at: 1 (888) 219-8767.