Wage, Hour and Leave

• Almost all workers in Alberta give labor hours for wages under the rules of the Employment Standards Code. Employers pay workers at least the minimum wage, $8.80 per hour in 2009. Work hours are restricted to 12 in one day, and rest periods and days are required. When a worker decides to give labor hours above eight in one day or 44 in one week, the employer pays 1 1/2 the regular rate. New parents can take advantage of unpaid leave for 15 weeks during a maternity period and 37 weeks during the early-parenting period.
  
  

Income and Health

• The Income and Employment Supports Act guarantees Alberta's poor citizens have the income they need for food, shelter and medical aid. Whether a citizen works or does not, income support adds a payment amount to the worker's household finances that is enough to pay for the household's budget. Health benefits pay for the basic health care needs of adults and children. Workers participating in a training program to improve work skills are eligible for training benefits that cover tuition and fees, books and supplies, child care and transportation.
  
  

Collective Bargaining

• Alberta enacted the Labour Relations Code to support gainful agreements between employers and trade unions made in collective bargaining. Employees have the right to become a trade union member to bargain collectively with the employer on wages, hours and retirement benefits. On the business side, employers have the right to form employer organizations to bargain with their employees. The Alberta Labour Relations Board watches over the collective bargaining process to ensure each side can make important proposals and has enough time to settle.
  
  

Health and Safety

• Under the Occupational Health and Safety Code, employers and employees share the responsibility to keep the workplace and work safe for all present. Employers are responsible for eliminating and controlling hazardous conditions in the workplace. Important contributors to workplace safety, the employees have the responsibility to ensure their work doe not cause any danger to them, their co-workers or another worker at the site. Health and safety standards require the work areas, tools and equipment are safely designed for the work, used according to the manufacturer's specifications or an engineer's specifications, and kept in good condition.
  
  

Injured Workers

• When a worker is injured and needs medical attention or time away from work, Alberta secures his finances for the time they remain injured and unable to work with the Worker's Compensation Act's disability insurance and medical payments. The disability insurance does not depend on who is at fault. An injury or disease caused during work that keeps a worker form being able to work meets the requirements. Workers unable to work receive wage replacement payments at 90 percent of net earnings for the time they are out of work. Medical and rehabilitation benefits pay for doctor's visits, medications and physical therapy for recovery.