Canada Employee Benefits News and Trends - ebs
Statutory Holidays in Alberta: 2024 Guide
Statutory holidays, or general or public holidays, refer to paid days off mandated by federal and provincial law that most employees are entitled to. Understanding statutory holiday regulations is crucial for Canadian employers to avoid penalties and properly compensate staff.
This extensive guide examines all aspects of statutory holidays in Alberta for 2024. It covers eligibility criteria, pay calculation formulas, premium pay rules, and more.
Whether you are an employer looking for statutory holiday compliance guidance or an employee wanting to understand your public holiday rights, this definitive guide has everything you need to know.
Number of Statutory Holidays in Alberta
Alberta has 9 statutory holidays that all provincially-regulated employers must provide to eligible staff:
- New Year’s Day
- Alberta Family Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
In addition, there are 4 optional general holidays that employers can choose to offer their employees:
- Easter Monday
- Heritage Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Boxing Day
While employers are not required to recognize these 4 optional days, all standard statutory holiday pay rules and entitlements apply if they choose to offer them.
Alberta Statutory and Optional Holiday Dates for 2024
As Canada’s westernmost prairie province, Alberta has 9 statutory holiday dates that employers must provide each calendar year. Alberta also has 4 optional general holidays that employers can choose to provide.
| Holiday | 2024 Date |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Alberta Family Day | February 19 |
| Good Friday | March 29 |
| Victoria Day | May 20 |
| Canada Day | July 1 |
| Labour Day | September 2 |
| Thanksgiving Day | October 14 |
| Remembrance Day | November 11 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| Easter Monday | April 1 |
| Heritage Day | August 5 |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | September 30 |
| Boxing Day | December 26 |
Employee Eligibility Criteria for Statutory Holidays in Alberta
To be entitled to statutory holiday pay and time off, employees must meet specific criteria:
Federal
- Worked for the employer for 30 days in the last 12 months
Alberta
- Worked 30 days for the same employer in the previous 12 months
- Work the holiday if it falls on a non-regular workday
- Holiday must be a regular workday
Eligibility factors like minimum length of employment tend to be similar across Canada. Most regions require employees to have worked at least 30 days for the same employer in the previous 12 months to qualify.
Employees are typically ineligible for statutory holiday entitlements if they:
- Have not worked the minimum required days
- Are absent without consent before/after the holiday
- Do not work on a holiday falling on a non-regular workday
These eligibility rules apply equally to full-time, part-time, casual, and temporary employees.
| Criteria | Federal | Alberta | Most Provinces |
| Minimum Employment | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Regular work day |  | | |
| Work holiday on non-regular days | | | |
| Unauthorized absences |  | | |
Determining Regular Work Days in Alberta
A key factor for statutory holiday eligibility across Canada is whether the holiday falls on a regular work day.
For employees with standard weekday schedules, their regular work days are the days they usually work each week.
For those with irregular schedules, most regions use the ‘5 in 9 rule’ to determine regular work days. This means a day is considered a regular workday if the employee worked that same day at least 5 times in the 9 weeks before the holiday.
So if the holiday falls on a Wednesday, and the employee worked 5+ Wednesdays in the previous 9 weeks, Wednesday would be a regular work day for them.
While regulations vary slightly between provinces, this 5 in 9 rule is commonly used across Canada to define regular work days.
| Schedule Type | Regular Work Day Determination |
| Regular Schedule | Normal work days each week |
| Irregular schedule | Worked same day ≥5 times in previous 9 weeks |
Pay Calculations for Statutory Holidays in Alberta
Employers must provide different statutory holiday pay depending on whether employees work on the holiday and whether it falls on a regular work day.
If Employees Do Not Work the Holiday
Employees who have the day off on a statutory holiday that falls on a regular work day are entitled to their average daily wage as statutory holiday pay.
The average daily wage is calculated as the total wages earned in the four weeks preceding the holiday divided by the number of days actually worked in that period. Overtime pay is not included in these calculations.
Average daily wage calculation example:
- Peter earned $1,600 in regular wages over 20 days worked in the previous 4 weeks
- His average daily wage is $1,600 / 20 days = $80
So, Peter would receive $80 as statutory holiday pay for the day off.
If the holiday falls on a non-regular work day and employees do not work, they are not entitled to statutory holiday pay.
| Calculation Method | Formula |
| Average Daily Wage | Total regular wages in prior 4 weeks / Days worked in prior 4 weeks. |
If Employees Work on the Holiday
If employees work on a statutory holiday that falls on a regular work day, they are entitled to statutory holiday pay calculated as:
- 1.5 times their hourly wage for all hours worked
PLUS
- Their average daily wage
Alternatively, employers can choose to pay the employee:
- Their regular wage rate for hours worked on the holiday
- Plus, a substitute day off with pay in the future at their average daily wage rate
Premium pay calculation example:
- Jane’s hourly wage is $20
- She worked 8 hours on the statutory holiday
- Her average daily wage is $160
Jane would earn:
- 1.5 x $20 x 8 hours worked = $240
- Plus $160 (average daily wage)
For total statutory holiday pay of $400
If employees work on a statutory holiday that falls on a non-regular work day, they are entitled to 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for all hours worked as premium pay. They do not additionally receive their average daily wage.
Read more: Minimum Wage in Alberta
Managing Substitute Days Off
If an employee takes a substitute day off in lieu of a statutory holiday worked, general holiday pay rules apply on that substitute day.
If the employment ends before the substitute day is taken, the owed pay depends on who ended the employment:
- If the employer terminates the employee, they must pay the employee the employee’s average daily wage plus 1.5 times their wage rate for all hours worked on the holiday.
- If the employee quits, they are owed their average daily wage for each substitute day not taken.
| Employment Ended By | Owed Payment |
| Employer | Average daily wage + 1.5x hourly wage x hours worked holiday |
| Employee | Average daily wage per substitute day not taken |
Holiday Rules for Salaried, Part-Time, Dismissed Employees
Salaried Employees
Salaried employees typically receive their regular salary for statutory holidays on regular work days.
If they work on the holiday, they should also receive their average daily wage or substitute day off at their average wage rate.
Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees are also eligible for statutory holiday pay in Alberta if they meet the minimum 30-day employment requirement.
Like full-time employees, part-time employees’ pay calculations are based on their average daily wage. Part-time hours are taken into account when determining the average daily wage.
Dismissed Employees
Employees who are terminated with or without cause are still owed any statutory holiday pay and entitlements they accrued up to the termination date.
If applicable, this must be included in their final pay, along with any severance pay.
Key Takeaways for Statutory Holidays in Alberta
- 5 statutory holidays are recognized nationally, while others vary between provinces
- Alberta has 9 statutory holidays and 4 optional general holidays
- Most regions require a minimum 30 days of employment to establish eligibility
- The 5 in 9 rule commonly determines regular workdays
- Formulas for holiday pay differ across Canada depending on circumstances
- Substitute days off are allowed in some provinces if an employee works on a statutory holiday
- Salaried, part-time and dismissed employees maintain public holiday rights
By understanding statutory holiday guidelines, employers across Canada can ensure proper compliance and employee benefits in Canada while employees can better comprehend their entitlements.
FAQs related to Statutory Holidays in Alberta
What are statutory holidays in Alberta?
Statutory holidays, also known as general holidays, are paid days off mandated by the province that most employees are entitled to take. Alberta has 9 statutory holidays: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, and Christmas Day.
How many statutory holidays are there in Alberta?
There are 9 statutory holiday dates that employers are required to provide. Alberta also has 4 optional general holidays that employers can choose to observe: Easter Monday, Heritage Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Boxing Day.
When are the statutory holidays in Alberta in 2024?
The 9 statutory holiday dates in Alberta for 2024 are: January 1, February 19, March 29, May 20, July 1, September 2, October 14, November 11, and December 25. The 4 optional holidays fall on April 1, August 5, September 30, and December 26.
What are the eligibility requirements for statutory holiday pay in Alberta?
To receive statutory holiday pay, employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 30 days in the past 12 months. They must also work their last scheduled shift before and after the holiday.
How is statutory holiday pay calculated in Alberta?
If employees don't work on the statutory holiday, they receive their average daily wage. If they do work, they get 1.5x their hourly wage plus their average daily wage or a substitute day off.
Can part-time employees receive statutory holiday pay?
Yes, part-time employees in Alberta are entitled to statutory holiday pay if they meet the minimum 30-day employment eligibility requirement. Their holiday pay is calculated based on their average daily wage.
What if a statutory holiday falls on a non-work day?
If the holiday falls on a non-regular work day and the employee doesn't work, they are not entitled to statutory holiday pay. If they do work the holiday, they receive premium pay of 1.5 times their hourly wage.
Are employees entitled to statutory holiday pay if fired?
Yes, dismissed employees in Alberta are still legally entitled to any statutory holiday pay earned up to the date of their termination, even if fired with cause.
Do salaried employees get statutory holidays?
Yes, salaried employees normally receive their regular salary for any statutory holidays that fall on regular work days. If required to work on the holiday, they receive premium pay.
Can employers in Alberta substitute other religious holidays?
No, employers can only substitute the 4 optional general holidays - Easter Monday, Heritage Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Boxing Day. The 9 statutory holidays have fixed dates.