Alberta Employment Law (Live Online)

Overview

This course examines Alberta’s employment laws, and students will gain a foundational understanding of the various aspects of the province’s employment law regime. This course is valuable for human resources professionals seeking to understand the rights and obligations of employers and employees in both unionized and non-unionized environments. Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) are encouraged to include this course as part of the CPHR Canada continuing professional development requirements.

Course Prerequisites

None. However, this course is best suited for paralegals, legal assistants, human resources professionals and in-house legal staff.

Topics Covered/Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of Alberta Employment Law course, students will have increased knowledge in:

1. Sources of Employment Law

• Statute Law
• Constitutional Law
• Common-Law
• Judicial Decisions

2. Understanding Common Law Principles

• Common-Law Liability
• Employer-Employee Relationship
• Different Categories of Employees

3. Unionized Workplaces

• Introduction to the Unionized Workplace
• Setting up a Union
• The Collective Agreement
• Strikes and Lockouts
• Unions and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

4. Canada Labour Code

• Industrial Relations
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Hours of Work, Wages, Vacations and other Holidays

5. The Employment Contract

• Written Contracts of Employment
• Common terms used in Contracts of Employment
• Enforceability of Contracts of Employment
• Interpretation Issues

6. Employment Standards Code of Alberta

• Minimum Employment Standards
• Administration and Enforcement of the Code

7. Human Rights in the Workplace

• Discrimination and Human Rights Complaints
• Human Rights issues during recruitment, selection and hiring
• Human Rights issues during employment

8. Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

• Coverage
• Workplace responsibilities
• Workers’ Rights
• Protections under the OHS Act, Regulation and Code in Alberta
• Administration and Enforcement

9. Workers’ Compensation Board, Alberta

• The Role of the Board
• Worker Coverage
• Benefits under the Legislation
• Appeals

10. Resignation and Retirement

• Resignation
• Retirement

11. Dismissal with Just Cause

• Just Cause Requirements
• Establishing Just Cause under Common Law

12. Dismissal without Just Cause and Wrongful Dismissal

• Requirements
• Notice of Termination
• Wrongful Dismissal
• The Duty to Mitigate
• Constructive Dismissal
• Avoiding Claims of Wrongful Dismissal