Administering the Employment Standards

Who Administers Employment Standards Programs in Alberta?

Employment standards programs and services are administered by staff in ten offices across Alberta.

Who is Subject to Alberta's Minimum Employment Standards?

Nearly all employers and employees in Alberta are subject to the standards in the Employment Standards Code and the Employment Standards Regulation. The exceptions are employers and employees who fall under federal legislation, including employees of the federal government or those in industries such as banking, interprovincial trucking or radio and television.

Groups of employees or industries may be subject to a variation in standards, or be exempt from one or more of the laws. In the detailed description of each standard, the most common variations or exemption will be identified. If you have any doubt about the application of any standard, contact the Employment Standards Telephone Counselling Service.

What Services Ensure that Employment Standards are Observed and Enforced?

To ensure Alberta employers and employees understand and follow employment standards, our staff provide:

Telephone Counselling Services

By calling our province-wide information line at (780) 427-3731 (toll free in Alberta by first dialing 310-0000), these services can be accessed:

• Counsellors who are able to address a broad range of employment standards questions and issues – available during regular business hours (8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
• Recorded messages on core employment standards – available 24 hours a day.

Employers and employees who fall under federal jurisdiction should contact the Federal Labour Program of Human Resources Development Canada at 1-866-713-4397 for information about their rights and responsibilities.

Educational Programs

Employment Standards staff provide comprehensive hands-on training designed to provide participants with a better understanding of the rights and obligations of employers and employees under the Employment Standards Code.

Education programs are delivered in three ways:

• "Wages at Work" Workshop

This is a full-day workshop designed for business owners, managers, supervisors, payroll and accounting personnel.

• Presentations and Seminars

These presentations can range from one hour to four hours, depending on the information requested.  Information is customized to suit the needs of your business or group.

• Train the Trainer

The Train the Trainer program is a partnership initiative aimed at educational institutions, non-profit/social organizations and associations.  We provide half-day instructor training sessions that allow instructors to present a basic overview of the Code provisions to clients in their organization.

For more information, contact:

Edmonton and area

Main Floor, Sterling Place
9940 - 106 Street
Edmonton AB T5K 2N2
Phone: (780) 427-4200
Fax: (780) 427-6693
E-mail

Calgary and area

Main Floor, Elveden Centre
717 - 7 Avenue SW
Calgary AB T2P 0Z3
Phone: (403) 297-5846
Fax: (403) 297-5843
E-mail

Toll free by dialing 310-000 and entering the ten-digit number you require.

Investigations and Compliance Initiatives

When employees believe they have received less than minimum employment standards and are unable to resolve the matter with their employer, Employment Standards staff will investigate the matter on receipt of a written complaint.  Employees who want to file a complaint with Employment Standards must file within six months of the date on which their employment terminated.  See Complaint Resolution Process.

Each year, Employment Standards targets employers and industry sectors that have shown continued non-compliance with minimum employment standards. Based on the sensitivity of the issues identified, a range of actions can be taken to achieve compliance. These actions include education, mediation, investigation, audit and prosecution.

Frequently, when a firm goes into receivership or bankruptcy, employees are owed wages or other earnings. For Employment Standards policy and procedures in that situation, see Receiverships and Bankruptcies.

To assist in the collection of money owed to employees, Employment Standards may employ the services of a collection agency. The circumstances and procedures involved are described in Use of Collection Agencies by Employment Standards.