Employer Obligations During The Fort McMurray Wildfire

The devastating impact of the wildfire that continues to burn throughout northern Alberta has left those directly affected with unanswered questions relating to sources of income and financial stability. Many workplaces have either ceased operations indefinitely or no longer exist. The situation has many employers asking about their duties to employees in these circumstances. This bulletin is a summary of Alberta employer obligations relating to occupational health and safety, employee pay, time off and terminations of employment in times of emergency.

EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION ADDRESSING DISASTERS

In Alberta, the employment relationship is fundamentally contractual in nature. In a unionized context, the terms of the collective agreement will govern. In a non-unionized context, the terms of the individual employment agreement (whether written or verbal) will govern. Such agreements are supplemented by common law contract principles and legislation governing the