Alberta Government Implements Temporary Changes To Employment Standards

On April 6, 2020, the Government of Alberta announced the following temporary changes to Alberta's Employment Standards Code (Code) to help employers navigate the unprecedented circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: 

• The maximum period for temporary layoffs has been increased from 60 days to 120 days, subject to certain limited circumstances which may provide for a further extension. Notably, this change has been made retroactive for any temporary layoffs related to COVID-19 that occurred on or after March 17, 2020.
• Employers are no longer required to provide group termination notice to affected employees and unions when terminating the employment of 50 or more employees. However, employers must still give group termination notice to the Minister of Labour and Immigration as soon as is practicable. Individuals are still entitled to statutory notice of termination, or pay in lieu thereof, under the Code.