Should Alberta Workers Be Able to Swap Statutory Holidays for Cultural Holidays?
Official title: General holiday flexibility engagement
Alberta is asking whether employees should be able to swap statutory holidays like Victoria Day for cultural or religious holidays that matter more to them. Two options are on the table: change the law to allow swaps with employer consent, or just remind employers they can already do this through workplace policies.
Why This Matters
Celebrate Diwali, Eid, or Lunar New Year but have to work? This could let you swap a day off you don't use for one you actually want. It's about making Alberta workplaces work better for everyone, not just those who celebrate Christmas and Easter.
What Could Change
Alberta's Employment Standards Code could be amended to let employees substitute general holidays for cultural ones. Alternatively, the government might just launch an awareness campaign about existing flexibility options. Either way, expect clearer rules about how holiday swaps work.
Key Issues
- Should the Employment Standards Code be amended to allow holiday substitutions with employer consent?
- Would an awareness campaign about existing flexibility options be enough, without changing the law?
- How do workplaces currently handle cultural holiday requests?
How to Participate
- Review the current general holiday rules to understand what's being proposed.
- Take the survey to share your views on holiday flexibility options.
- Have questions? Email jet.review@gov.ab.ca.
Submit Your Input
Questions Being Asked (3)
- How do workplaces currently operate with respect to cultural holidays?
- What is the viability of the 2 approaches to increasing general holiday flexibility?
- What are the implications of each approach on employers and employees?