Alberta Employment Standards Guide
Alberta's employment standards are governed primarily by the Employment Standards Code, which sets minimum standards for wages, hours of work, overtime, holidays, vacations, and termination. Alberta has a diversified economy with strong energy, agriculture, and technology sectors.
Key legislation
- Employment Standards Code
- Alberta Human Rights Act
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Workers' Compensation Act
- Labour Relations Code
- Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
Employment standards at a glance
Minimum wage
$15.00/hour
Standard workweek
44 hours
Overtime threshold
8 hours/day or 44 hours/week
Public holidays
9 statutory holidays
Alberta has nine general holidays. Employers may recognize additional holidays; the general-holiday pay rules then apply to those days too. See Alberta’s official guidance.
Vacation minimum
2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years
Notice of termination
1 week (90 days) to 8 weeks (10+ years)
Protected grounds
Alberta Human Rights Act (RSA 2000, c A-25.5)
- Race
- Colour
- Ancestry
- Place of origin
- Religious beliefs
- Gender
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Physical disability
- Mental disability
- Age
- Marital status
- Family status
- Source of income
- Sexual orientation
Leave types
- Maternity leave (16 weeks)
- Parental leave (62 weeks)
- Compassionate care leave (27 weeks)
- Personal and family responsibility leave (5 days)
- Bereavement leave (3 days)
- Domestic violence leave (10 days)
- Critical illness leave (36 weeks)
- Long-term illness and injury leave (up to 27 weeks per calendar year)
- Citizenship ceremony leave (half day)
Legislation and workplace agencies
- Employment Standards Code (RSA 2000, c E-9)
- Alberta Human Rights Act (RSA 2000, c A-25.5)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (SA 2020, c O-2.2)
- Workers' Compensation Board – Alberta (WCB Alberta)
Key industries in Alberta
- Oil and Gas
- Agriculture
- Technology
- Financial Services
- Tourism