[co-author: Stephen King, Student-at-Law]
Alberta’s employment standards laws have changed significantly as of January 1, 2018. Among other things, periods of job-protected maternity and parental leave have been increased through the Employment Standards Amendment Regulation and amendments to Alberta’s Employment Standards Code.
Pursuant to these changes, maternity leave has been extended from 15 to 16 weeks, and parental leave has been extended from 37 to 62 weeks. Accordingly, eligible employees with at least 90 days of service in Alberta will now be entitled to take up to 78 weeks (1.5 years) of job-protected maternity and parental leave.
These changes are substantial and are likely to impact employment practices across the province. Employers should review their internal policies and procedures to ensure they remain compliant in the face of this change.
