Photo: Government of Alberta

By Shaun Penner

labour law changes

Province makes temporary changes to provincial labour laws

Apr 6, 2020 | 6:34 PM

The Alberta government has made immediate changes to some of its labour laws amid the continued fight against COVID-19.

Citing direction from Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw, changes to rules around sick leave, length of layoffs and a few other areas have been made.

First, the province has increased the maximum time limit for a temporary layoff from 60 days, doubling that to 120. The government says this change is meant to keep employees attached to their place of employment for longer.

The change is retroactive to any layoff that happened on or after March 17.

Changes for employers include having more scheduling flexibility, as the province has removed the 24-hour written notice requirement for shift changes, as well as the two weeks notice usually required for changes to work schedules.

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The need to provide a group termination notice to employees or unions for job terminations of 50 employees or more has also been removed.

For those individuals who need to stay home to care for children following the closures of schools and daycare facilities, or to care for an ill or self-isolating family member, the 90-day employment requirement to be able to access unpaid job-protected leave has been removed.

“The health and safety of Albertans continues to be our top priority,” said Minister of Labour and Immigration Jason Copping, in a release. “Changes to the Employment Standards Code will ensure Albertans can care for themselves and their loved ones during these challenging times, while providing flexibility to Alberta’s job creators.”

The province adds these changes will be in place as long as government determines they are needed and the public health emergency order remains.