The Government of Alberta recently announced temporary changes to employment standards in response to the economic disruption of COVID-19. Some highlights include:
- Creating a job-protected leave for employees caring for children affected by school and daycare closures or ill or self-isolated family members due to COVID-19
- Removing the 24-hour written notice requirement for shift changes
- Removing the requirement for 2 weeks notice for changes to work schedules for those under an averaging agreement
- Removing the employer requirement to provide group termination notice to employees and unions when 50 or more employees are being terminated
- Increasing the maximum time for temporary layoffs from 60 days to 120 days
- This change is retroactive for temporary layoffs related to COVID-19 that occurred on or after March 17
- Streamlining approvals for modifying employment standards (variances and exemptions) related to COVID-19
HGA Recommends:
Modifications to an individual’s employment may involve some legal exposure to your business. We recommend seeking the advice of legal counsel on matters related to employment, especially temporary layoffs. Jason Banack at HGA Law is available should you need legal counsel.
