Under three new initiatives, workers in Alberta, Canada will be taking home more pay, be better able to care for ill family members, and develop a better understanding of their workplace rights.
Minimum Wage
Minimum wage earners in Alberta will get a raise on September 1, 2014, when the province’s two minimum wage rates increase to keep pace with rising provincial incomes and the cost of living. The general minimum wage rate will increase 25 cents per hour to $10.20 per hour. The minimum wage for liquor servers will increase to $9.20 per hour. Currently, the general minimum wage rate is $9.95 per hour and the rate for liquor servers is $9.05 per hour.
Compassionate Care Leave
Eligible Albertans will now have their jobs protected when they take time away from work to care for a gravely ill family member. Compassionate care leave is an unpaid work leave allowing employees to take up to eight weeks time off to care for an ill spouse, partner, child, parent, grandparent, family in-law, sibling, aunt or uncle, or niece or nephew.
Work Right Interact Safety Campaign
Albertans can test their knowledge of workers’ rights and occupational health and safety practices with a new fun interactive website hosted by the Ministry of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour. The Work Right website is designed to give workers a better understanding of safe, fair and healthy workplaces. From this site Alberta WorkRight, employees and employers can also download flash cards, posters and guides. Take a quiz to test your knowledge and find answers to common questions.