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.
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum."
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
#Wages
In Alberta, there are rules that govern the compensation that employers must provide their workers. From minimum wage to overtime, to holiday pay, here you can find the resources you need to understand what you should be paid.
-
FAQ
What counts as overtime in Alberta?
In Alberta, overtime means all hours worked beyond 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week, whichever is more. This is referred to as the 8/44 rule: workers are entitled to overtime pay for hours that fall outside 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week. It is important to note that there are some industries and professions that are exempt from this rule and have different regulations related to overtime, such as federally regulated sectors.
-
FAQ
If I work on a general holiday, am I entitled to extra pay?
In most cases, employees who work general holidays are entitled to pay at a rate of 1.5x their regular wage, or they can be paid the regular hourly wage and be provided with an equal amount of paid time off at their regular hourly wage on a future date.
-
FAQ
If my place of work is closed on a general holiday, am I entitled to general holiday pay?
Most employees are entitled to general holiday pay if the general holiday falls on a regular day of work. For example, if you always work Mondays and the holiday falls on a Monday, you may be entitled to general holiday pay. If the holiday falls on a Saturday and you usually have Saturdays off, you may not be entitled to general holiday pay.
-
FAQ
How many general (statutory) holidays are there in Alberta?
There are 9 general (or statutory) holidays in Alberta: New Year’s Day (January 1), Alberta Family Day (the third Monday in February), Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), Victoria Day (the Monday before May 25), Canada Day (July 1, unless it falls on a Sunday, then it is July 2), Labour Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October), Remembrance Day (November 11), Christmas Day (December 25).
-
FAQ
What is the minimum wage for students under the age of 18?
Students under the age of 18 in Alberta can be paid as low as $13/hour for the first 28 hours worked in a week when school is in session. Any work beyond 28 hours must be paid at least $15/hour. This lower pay rate applies only to youth under 18 enrolled in an educational institution. Workers under the age of 18 who are not in school must be paid the general minimum wage of $15/hour.
-
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Alberta?
The general minimum wage is $15/hour for most employees in Alberta.
In Alberta, overtime means all hours worked beyond 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week, whichever is more. This is referred to as the 8/44 rule: workers are entitled to overtime pay for hours that fall outside 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week. It is important to note that there are some industries and professions that are exempt from this rule and have different regulations related to overtime, such as federally regulated sectors.
In most cases, employees who work general holidays are entitled to pay at a rate of 1.5x their regular wage, or they can be paid the regular hourly wage and be provided with an equal amount of paid time off at their regular hourly wage on a future date.
Most employees are entitled to general holiday pay if the general holiday falls on a regular day of work. For example, if you always work Mondays and the holiday falls on a Monday, you may be entitled to general holiday pay. If the holiday falls on a Saturday and you usually have Saturdays off, you may not be entitled to general holiday pay.
There are 9 general (or statutory) holidays in Alberta: New Year’s Day (January 1), Alberta Family Day (the third Monday in February), Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), Victoria Day (the Monday before May 25), Canada Day (July 1, unless it falls on a Sunday, then it is July 2), Labour Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October), Remembrance Day (November 11), Christmas Day (December 25).
Students under the age of 18 in Alberta can be paid as low as $13/hour for the first 28 hours worked in a week when school is in session. Any work beyond 28 hours must be paid at least $15/hour. This lower pay rate applies only to youth under 18 enrolled in an educational institution. Workers under the age of 18 who are not in school must be paid the general minimum wage of $15/hour.
The general minimum wage is $15/hour for most employees in Alberta.
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.
Connect with Us
