Changes to Alberta's Employment Standards Code

On April 6, the Government of Alberta made temporary changes to the provincial Employment Standards Code to allow more flexibility for employees and employers. This initiative is particularly hopeful for the nonprofit and charitable sector as it allows employers to respond to the health measures in place and provides job protection for employees who have lost employment due to COVID-19.

Changes for employees

All employees who are caring for children affected by school and daycare closures, or caring for ill or self-isolated family members due to COVID-19, will have access to unpaid job-protected leave. Additionally, the 90-day employment requirement has been waived and leave length is flexible. 

Changes for employees and employers

The maximum time for a temporary layoff has been extended from 60 days to 120 days, retroactive for any temporary layoffs occurring on or after March 17. This allows those who have been temporarily laid off to stay attached to their job longer.

Changes for employers

The 24-hour written notice requirement for shift changes, and the two weeks’ notice for changes to work schedules has been removed.

The requirement to provide the group termination notice to employees and unions when 50 or more employees are being terminated has been removed.

The Government of Alberta will be streamlining the process for approvals related to modifying employment standards. This is meant to allow employers and workers to more quickly react to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Duration of Changes

The temporary changes to the Employment Standards Code are to take effect immediately and will be in place as long as the public health emergency orders remain active.

For current federal and provincial policy updates regarding COVID-19, check out our COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits.