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ARTICLE · 14 JULY 2020

Significant Legislative Changes Coming To Alberta Workplaces

McCarthy Tétrault
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Bill 32 contains numerous amendments to Alberta's Employment Standards Code and Labour Relations Code, which we anticipate will significantly impact both unionized

CanadaEmployment and HR
McCarthy Tetrault LLP
McCarthy Tetrault LLP
Justin Turc
Justin Turc
Erinn Wilson
Erinn Wilson
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Bill 32, Restoring Balance in Alberta's Workplaces Act, was introduced to the Alberta Legislature on July 7, 2020.

Bill 32 contains numerous amendments to Alberta's Employment Standards Code and Labour Relations Code, which we anticipate will significantly impact both unionized and non-unionized workplaces in Alberta. Unlike other legislative changes being implemented in response to COVID-19, these changes are anticipated to be permanent.

Significant Proposed Changes to Employment Standards

Termination and layoffs

  • Employers will have increased latitude to manage temporary changes to workforce size with the maximum length of layoffs being expended from 60 to 90 days within a 120 day period. However, this change will not impact temporary changes to the layoff provisions allowing for COVID-19 related layoffs to be up to 180 consecutive days. Additionally the advance notice requirements, typically amounting to 1-2 weeks of notice, for layoffs will be removed.

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