Discrimination complaints: one-year limit
The Workers’ Resource Centre is unable to assist with discrimination that happened more than one year ago, due to a one-year limit on complaints under the Alberta Human Rights Act. You may still have options through civil court. To find a lawyer, you can check the Alberta Law Society’s lawyer directory.
Please Note
The Workers’ Resource Centre can only file complaints under the Employment Standards Code within 6 months from the date of termination of employment. You may still be able to file a civil claim. To find a lawyer for legal advice, please visit the Alberta Law Society’s Lawyer Directory.
A note about discrimination
The Workers’ Resource Centre is unable to assist with forms of discrimination that do not fall under the protected grounds in the Alberta Human Rights Act. You may still have options through civil court. To find a lawyer, you can check the Alberta Law Society’s lawyer directory.
Occupational Health and Safety complaints
If you have a concern about safety at your work that hasn’t been addressed by your employer, you have the right to file a complaint with Occupational Health and Safety. Visit to learn more.
A note about sick leave
In order to take time of work to recover from physical, mental or emotional conditions, you will need documentation from a physician who is treating you. If you need help finding a doctor, please visit Alberta Find a Doctor or call 811 (Health Link) for referrals to health care providers.
You have the right to refuse dangerous work—and a responsibility to report it
In Alberta, workers have the right to refuse dangerous work if it poses a serious and immediate threat to health and safety to themselves or others. Learn more about refusing dangerous work by navigating to the Government of Alberta’s website here.
Workers also have a responsibility to report safety hazards at work to their employer or supervisor immediately. The Government of Alberta offers detailed explanations regarding workers’ responsibility to report health and safety hazards in the workplace.
Under Alberta’s legislation, workers cannot be disciplined, nor can they be threatened with discipline, for exercising their right to refuse dangerous work, or for reporting dangerous work.
Occupation exemptions for hours of work and rest
In Alberta, some occupations are exempt from the minimum standards for hours of work and rest. The occupation you selected is exempt from these minimum standards. You can read more about the exempt occupations here.
If your working hours are creating a safety hazard at your work, for example, if fatigue is making your work dangerous, you are obligated to report the hazard to your employer immediately. You can find more information on Occupational Health and Safety here.
Employment Standards – rest between shifts
In Alberta, the minimum period of rest between shifts is 8 hours. You indicated that you receive at least 8 hours between shifts, which is in accordance with the rule on rest between shifts, as set out by Employment Standards Alberta.
Employment Standards – breaks
In Alberta, employers do not need to provide breaks to employees whose shifts are 5 hours or less. You indicated that on average, you work fewer than 5 hours per shift, which means you would not be entitled to any breaks during these shifts, as per Employment Standards Alberta’s rules on daily rest periods.
Caring for family members
Workers who pay into Employment Insurance in Canada can receive caregiving benefits while caring for seriously ill or injured family members with a significant risk of dying, or who require end-of-life care. At this time, caregiver benefits do not apply to any other situations. You may still request time off work to help a family member in need, however, it would most likely be unpaid.
A note about vacation entitlements
Alberta workers are not entitled to paid vacation if they have worked less than 1 year for their employer, unless otherwise stated in their contract. Learn more about vacation rules at the Alberta Employment Standards website.
Vacation entitlements in Alberta
Alberta workers are entitled to the following vacation time, based on the number of years they have worked for their employer, unless stated otherwise in their contract:
- 1-5 years of work – 2 weeks paid vacation
- Over 5 years – 3 weeks paid vacation
To learn more about vacation entitlements in Alberta, you can consult Employment Standards.
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I lost my income and not sure if i am eligible for EI
Are there any programs that will allow me to collect an income
#Discrimination
Discrimination at work based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and family status, to name a few, is not permitted in Alberta. Learn about the law around discrimination at work and the options available to you to take action.
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FAQ
Is sexual harassment illegal?
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination based on the ground of gender, which is prohibited by the Alberta Human Rights Act. If you have experienced sexual harassment at work, you may be able to file a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
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FAQ
What is workplace sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct that is gender-related or sexual in nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable or unsafe. If you would like more information about workplace sexual harassment, visit hereforhelp.ca
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FAQ
What can I do if someone is being transphobic towards me at work?
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being transphobic as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take.
Get Help -
FAQ
What can I do if someone is being sexist towards me at work?
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being sexist as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
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FAQ
What can I do if someone is being homophobic towards me at work?
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being homophobic as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
Get Help -
FAQ
What can I do if someone is discriminating against me because of a disability at work?
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being ableist as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
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FAQ
What can I do if someone is being racist towards me at work?
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being racist as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take.
Get Help -
FAQ
What can I do if someone is discriminating against me at work?
Discrimination at work because of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, marital status or family status is prohibited in Alberta.
If you are facing discrimination at work, try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being discriminatory, as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
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FAQ
Is it legal terminate an employee after they return from maternity or parental leave?
It is not permitted to terminate an employee because they took maternity or parental. If you have recently lost your job after returning from maternity or parental leave, we may be able to help. Tell us more:
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FAQ
Is it legal to terminate an employee after they return from medical leave?
It is not permitted to terminate an employee because they took a medical leave. If you believe that you were terminated in retribution for taking a medical leave, click the get help button below.
Get Help -
FAQ
If I apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits, do I have to quit my job?
No. In Alberta, most workers are entitled to sixteen weeks of job-protected leave for medical reasons. This means that you cannot be terminated for taking time off to recover or heal from illness or injury, including physical or mental illness or injury. If you have applied for EI sickness benefits, you should not quit your job. if your employer has asked you to quit or has fired you because of medical leave, the Workers’ Resource Centre can help:
Get Help
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination based on the ground of gender, which is prohibited by the Alberta Human Rights Act. If you have experienced sexual harassment at work, you may be able to file a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
Get Help
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct that is gender-related or sexual in nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable or unsafe. If you would like more information about workplace sexual harassment, visit hereforhelp.ca
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being transphobic as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take.
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being sexist as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
Get Help
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being homophobic as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
Get Help
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being ableist as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
Get Help
Try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being racist as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take.
Discrimination at work because of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, marital status or family status is prohibited in Alberta.
If you are facing discrimination at work, try to document as much as possible. Write down the dates, times, and details of discrimination that happened in your workplace, including the names of people who were being discriminatory, as well as witnesses. The Workers’ Resource Centre can help you to determine the next steps you would like to take. Get help here:
Get Help
It is not permitted to terminate an employee because they took maternity or parental. If you have recently lost your job after returning from maternity or parental leave, we may be able to help. Tell us more:
Get Help
It is not permitted to terminate an employee because they took a medical leave. If you believe that you were terminated in retribution for taking a medical leave, click the get help button below.
Get Help
No. In Alberta, most workers are entitled to sixteen weeks of job-protected leave for medical reasons. This means that you cannot be terminated for taking time off to recover or heal from illness or injury, including physical or mental illness or injury. If you have applied for EI sickness benefits, you should not quit your job. if your employer has asked you to quit or has fired you because of medical leave, the Workers’ Resource Centre can help:
About WRC
At the Workers’ Resource Centre, we are dedicated to empowering Alberta workers. Our mission is to ensure that every worker understands their rights and has the support they need to access their benefits, and file workplace-related complaints and appeals. We offer support with job loss, improper pay, workplace discrimination, illness, injury and disability, and provide assistance to ensure workers’ basic needs are met.
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