Labour laws are intricate and complex, involving both provincial and federal regulations. Compliance is crucial to protect workers and avoid delays and fines. Partnering with a staffing agency simplifies the compliance process.
Key Labour Laws
Alberta’s key labour laws include workplace safety, human rights, and employment standards.
- Employment Standards: Employees may not work more than 12 hours daily (with a few exceptions). Breaks are required. The number and duration of these breaks depend upon the length of the shift. Vacation pay/time is required, and there are rules regarding statutory holidays. Workers are entitled to leave for personal reasons. A minimum wage is required, and there are several rules regarding overtime pay. Employee records (pay, vacation, termination) are mandatory.
- Alberta Human Rights: The Alberta Human Rights Act protects workers from discrimination and unequal pay based on gender and allows for membership in trade unions.
- Workplace Safety: Workers must be informed of workplace hazards, and they have the right to refuse dangerous work. They also have the right to participate in safety and health discussions.
Compliance Challenges
Alberta’s labour laws present several challenges.
- Layoffs: Temporary layoffs must be limited to ninety days within a one-hundred-twenty-day period. Workers must receive layoff notices in written form.
- Overtime: Verification must be undertaken to determine if employees meet the criteria for exemptions from overtime pay.
- Safety Violations: Employers must ensure that workers follow workplace safety rules.
- Accommodation: Employers must make changes to rules, policies, and physical environments to address protected grounds.
- Discrimination: Employers are required to ensure that workers are judged on their qualifications and performance, not personal characteristics.
- Human Rights: Employers must investigate and mediate all discrimination complaints.
How A Staffing Agency Can Help
A good staffing agency can help companies comply with labour laws in many ways.
- Candidate Screening: By pre-screening candidates, a staffing agency ensures that employees meet legal requirements (right to work in Alberta, legal age, work permits, etc.) and have the required qualifications (training, certifications, etc.).
- Compliance Training: Some agencies provide staff training regarding relevant employment laws (workplace harassment prevention, anti-discrimination policies, health and safety regulations, etc.).
- Contract Management: Employment agencies draft legal, clear, compliant temporary contracts outlining terms of employment (hours, wages, termination requirements, etc.).
- Dispute Resolution: An agency can mediate disputes between the company and temporary workers, resolving issues before they snowball.
- Benefits and Payroll Administration: Many staffing agencies handle payroll, taking care of minimum wage concerns, overtime, statutory pay, worker’s compensation coverage, and benefits.
- Staying Updated: Agencies remain up-to-date on changes to the labour laws so they can advise clients regarding hiring practices.
- Proper Classification: Staffing agencies help correctly classify employees/contractors.
Do you need candidate pre-screening for your business? Could you use help with contract management or payroll? Would your company benefit from pre and post-employment services? Contact Equation Staffing Solutions and let us help!