Christmas and New Year's General Holidays

This year, both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Monday. Under Alberta’s Employment Standards legislation, the following rules apply:

• If you do not work on Christmas or New Year’s Day, and usually have Mondays off, you are not entitled to general holiday pay and are not entitled to an extra day off. However, you may receive general holiday pay or an extra day off if it is a part of your employment contract or a part of a union agreement. Please check with your employer.
• If you work on Christmas or New Year’s Day, but usually have Mondays off, you are entitled to pay at a rate of time-and-a-half of your regular wage for all hours worked.
• If you normally work Mondays and are given Christmas or New Year’s Day off, you are entitled to a regular day’s pay.
• If you normally work Mondays and work Christmas or New Year’s Day, you are entitled to your regular daily wage plus time-and-a-half for all hours worked, or your regular wage for each hour worked on the holiday, plus another regular work day off with pay.

Boxing Day is not a general (statutory) holiday.  However, if an employer designates Boxing Day as a general holiday, all rules pertaining to general holiday pay will apply.  Employees should confirm any pay entitlement with their employers.

To be eligible for general holiday pay, employees:

• must have worked 30 days for their employer in the preceding 12 months,
• must work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given), and
• must work on the general holiday if requested.

All Alberta government offices will be closed on Monday, December 25; Tuesday, December 26; Wednesday, December 27, and Monday, January 1, 2007.

The following emergency government services will be available:

• Emergency Workplace Health and Safety Services (24 hours): 1-866-415-8690
  In Edmonton: 415-8690
• Children’s Services (24 hours): 1-800-387-KIDS (1-800-387-5437)
• Emergency shelter, food or transportation (24 hours): 1-866-644-5135. In Edmonton: 644-5135

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More Information on General Holidays and General Holiday Pay