Q&A: Recessionary Layoffs Revisited In Alberta

During the recession of 2008, many Alberta human resource practitioners and general counsels had to address the impact of employee layoffs. With the current state of economic matters and the price per barrel of oil, many employers have made inquiries regarding whether legal severance requirements have changed over the last seven years resulting from the 2008 recession. We address some of the most common questions below:

1. Has the Alberta Employment Standards Code changed since 2008 regarding layoffs?

The simple answer is "no". The 2008 recession did not cause the Legislative Assembly to amend the layoff provisions in the employment standards legislation. Consequently, Alberta employers are required to provide minimum statutory notice or pay in lieu of notice, even in recessionary times.