Changes to employment standards rules in the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act are in effect for temporary layoffs, group terminations, and variances and exemptions. All other employment standards changes take effect November 1.
Basic rules
- An employee is entitled to general holiday pay if they have worked for the same employer for at least 30 workdays in the 12 months prior to the holiday.
- Most employees are entitled to general holidays and receive general holiday pay if one of the following applies to them:
- a general holiday is a regular day of work, or
- they have worked on a general holiday that is not a regular day of work
| General Holiday Pay | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regular day of work | Not a regular day of work | |
| Employee works | Hours worked x hourly wage x 1.5 + average daily wage
or Hours worked x hourly wage + future day off at average daily wage |
Hours worked x hourly wage x 1.5 |
| Employee doesn't work | Average daily wage | Not eligible for general holiday pay |
General holidays in Alberta
| General holiday | Definition of holiday | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | January 1 | January 1 | January 1 |
| Alberta Family Day | Third Monday in February | February 18 | February 17 | February 15 |
| Good Friday | Friday before Easter | April 19 | April 10 | April 2 |
| Victoria Day | Monday before May 25 | May 20 | May 18 | May 24 |
| Canada Day | July 1, except when it falls on a Sunday, then it is July 2 | July 1 | July 1 | July 1 |
| Labour Day | First Monday in September | September 2 | September 7 | September 6 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Second Monday in October | October 14 | October 12 | October 11 |
| Remembrance Day | November 11 | November 11 | November 11 | November 11 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | December 25 | December 25 | December 25 |
Optional general holidays
If an employer agrees to designate additional general holidays for their employees, all employment standards rules related to general holiday pay still apply for these additional holidays. Employees should confirm this and any pay entitlements with their employer.
Optional general holidays in Alberta include:
| Optional holiday | Definition of holiday | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easter Monday | First Monday following Easter | April 22 | April 13 | April 5 |
| Heritage Day | First Monday in August | August 5 | August 3 | August 2 |
| Boxing Day | December 26 | December 26 | December 26 | December 26 |
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta, which is a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
New Year’s Day is on January 1 every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on New Year’s Day.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for New Year’s Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
- have worked for the same employer for at least 30 workdays in the 12 months prior to the holiday
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn't work on New Year’s Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on New Year’s Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on New Year’s Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on New Year’s Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Family Day
Family Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta, which is a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Family Day is on the 3rd Monday of February every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on Family Day.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Family Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn't work on Family Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Family Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Family Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Family Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in Alberta, which is a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Good Friday is a religious holiday falling on the Friday before Easter Sunday every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on Good Friday.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Good Friday, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn't work on Good Friday, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Good Friday, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Good Friday, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Good Friday, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Victoria Day
Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta — a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Victoria Day falls on the Monday before May 25 every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on Victoria Day.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Victoria Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn't work on Victoria Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Victoria Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Victoria Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Victoria Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Canada Day
Canada Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta, which is a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Canada Day is on July 1 every year except when it falls on a Sunday, then it’s on July 2.
All Alberta government offices are closed on Canada Day.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Canada Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Canada Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Canada Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Canada Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Canada Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Labour Day
Labour Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta, which is a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Labour Day is on the 1st Monday in September every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on Labour Day.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Labour Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Labour Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Labour Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Labour Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Labour Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta, which is a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Thanksgiving Day is on the 2nd Monday in October every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Thanksgiving Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Thanksgiving Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Thanksgiving Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Thanksgiving Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Thanksgiving Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta — a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Remembrance Day is on November 11 every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on this holiday.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Remembrance Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Remembrance Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Remembrance Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Remembrance Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Remembrance Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta, which is a paid general holiday for employees who are eligible.
Christmas Day is on December 25 every year.
All Alberta government offices are closed on Christmas Day.
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for general holiday pay for Christmas Day, employees must:
- work their scheduled shift before and after the holiday (unless employer consent is given for the absence)
- work on the general holiday if required and scheduled to do so
Holiday pay rate
Regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Christmas Day, then they are entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is at least their average daily wage.
If an employee works on Christmas Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to:
- at least their average daily wage, and at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day, or
- standard wage rate for each hour worked on the general holiday and a day off with pay where the pay is at least as much as their average daily wage
Non-regular day of work
If the holiday falls on a non-regular day of work and an employee doesn’t work on Christmas Day, they are not entitled to general holiday pay.
If an employee works on Christmas Day, then the employee is entitled to general holiday pay of an amount that is equal to at least 1.5 times their wage rate for each hour worked on that day.