LawNow is a bi-monthly digital public legal education magazine which has been published by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta for almost 40 years. Its articles and columns are written in plain language and take a practical look at how the law relates to the every day lives of Canadians. In each issue, LawNow’s employment law column takes a look at a specific topic in this area of law and explains it clearly and concisely.
LawCentral Alberta
a website of the
Minimum wage, holiday pay, being laid off or fired, maternity leave, discrimination, starting a union: these are just some of the issues that arise in the workplace. This section deals with laws about employment standards, employment insurance, human rights, temporary foreign workers and unionized workplaces.
The resources on this page were hand-picked by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta's staff as a good place to start.
Provincial Legislation
Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta resources on work and employment:
CPLEA Suggested Resources
Not sure where to begin finding answers to your questions. Get started with our suggested resources. See additional resources below for more information.
These FAQs are provided by the Canadian Legal FAQs, a website of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. These FAQs provide information about employment law in Alberta and are divided into 12 sections: General; The difference between employees and independent contractors; Contract of Employment; Employment Standards; Pay; Overtime; Hours of Work; General Holidays & General Holiday Pay; ; Vacations & Vacation Pay; Maternity & Parental Leave; Termination & Temporary Layoff; and Enforcement of Labour Standards.
Rights at Work is a collection of resources developed by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta and funded by the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund. The resources make use of real‐life scenarios to demonstrate Alberta legislation that protects workers.Resources include tipsheet, videos, quizzes and articles.
Alberta Resources
This publication explains the provisions of the Act as they apply to pregnancy, breastfeeding, maternity and parental leave, adoption, and childcare obligations. It also provides resources for finding more information about maternity leave and parental leave, which includes leave for adoptive parents.
The Alberta Labour Relations Board is the independent and impartial tribunal responsible for the day-to-day application and interpretation of Alberta's labour laws. The Board administers and interprets the Labour Relations Code and other laws focused on unionized workplaces. The Board actively encourages dispute resolution, employs officers for investigations and makes major policy decisions.
The Centre is a registered charitable organization established in 1983. The Centre believes that every worker is entitled to a safe and healthy workplace. They support all workers, both unionized and non-unionized, who need assistance to make their workplaces healthier and safer, or who request help as a result of workplace injuries or illnesses. The Centre's website hosts learning materials on dramatic presentations to school audiences about employment and workplace health and safety law as well as links to publications on workplace rights.
The Centre provides worker-focused resources about:
- Health hazards on the job
- Legislation and legal rights for a healthy and safe workplace
- Research on health and safety issues and trends affecting workers
They also offer courses that are designed to give workers a better understanding of their Health and Safety rights and responsibilities, and provides tools for making the workplace safer.
Handy guide to terminology pertinent human rights law, privacy, revealing gender identity to other employees, use of bathrooms and other issues regarding accommodation of trans-identified persons in the workplace.
This information sheet is produced by the Government of Alberta and offers basic information about some of the laws in the Alberta Employment Standards Code. Includes information about wages, days off, overtime and statutory holidays in an easy-to-read format. (PDF - 4 pages)
Generally, employment refers to work in non-unionized work settings. Employment standards are the minimum standards established by law that define and guarantee rights in the workplace. Each province and territory has its own legislation.This research guide is provided by Alberta Law Libraries.
Related topics include:
- wrongful dismissal
- human rights in the workplace
- privacy
- workplace health and safety
- worker’s compensation
- unemployment insurance
Employment Standards staff administer and enforce the Employment Standards Code, which establishes minimum standards of employment for employers and employees in the workplace.This site contains information on the minimum standards of employment for employers and employees, including payment of earnings, minimum wage, hours of work and rest periods, overtime and overtime pay, vacations and vacation pay, general holidays and holiday pay, maternity and parental leave and termination of employment. There is also a section for filing a complaint.
In this issue of English Express you will learn about human rights in Alberta with examples and illustrations. English Express uses simple and easy to understand English for anyone to understand their publication.(PDF - 23 pages)
This webpage from the Alberta Human Rights Commission's website explains the rights and responsibilities of the Alberta Human Rights Act in the workplace.
Information includes how the Alberta Human Rights Act applies to the workplace, right and responsibilities of employees and employers, rights and responsibilities for trade unions and occupational associations, FAQs and resources related to the topic.
This handbook is produced by the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, It is presented in a question and answer format that deals with legal and other employment issues faced by youth in Alberta: employment standards, discrimination and harassment, work and age, salary, benefits, hours of work and breaks, overtime, safety and working conditions, holiday, and being fired. Includes a resource section and learning exercises. (updated minimum wage figures in 2014).
New Alberta Workers is a not-for-profit program started in 2013. its aim is to provide workplace health and safety information for Temporary Foreign Workers and other New to Alberta Workers
Combatting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- Free Seminar - Defines & explains Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.
- Intake & Referrals - Determine the best action plan for support.
- Casework - Assist in filing complaints to various regulating bodies.
This division of Alberta Employment and Immigration will help temporary foreign workers to learn about their rights and find solutions for problem situations. Booklets and brochures are available for employers and for workers. (Guide for Employees is available in 13 languages.) A walk-in office and a helpline are offered for assistance.
This website is meant to make a traditionally complex area of knowledge easier to understand and more accessible. Many Albertan women will benefit from this resource, including those who are new to the English language, have no background in the law, those who cannot afford legal advice and those in remote communities without internet access. Although it is not meant to replace expert advice the resource is a starting place and a guide for women who don’t know where to look.
The WRC helps Alberta workers through advocacy, a Casework Program, and Public Legal Education. If you need help with an employment issue, the WRC is ready to help.
This publication is for workers who want to know more about employment rules in the Alberta workplace. It discusses legislation covering workers, their rights before starting a job, their rights and responsibilities on the job, and leaving the job temporarily or permanently. Information is provided on employment standards, workplace health and safety, human rights and workers' compensation. Key contacts and resources for Alberta employees are also included. (PDF – 40 pages)
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