What is an employment contract?
An employment contract is a contract between an employer and employee. It sets out employment terms and conditions. All employees have contracts of employment with their employers whether or not they are in writing.
Last Reviewed: August 2019
If I do not have a written contract, how do I know the terms of my employment?
When your employer hired you, they probably told you details about the job, such as:
- responsibilities and duties
- work hours
- pay
- holidays
These details are part of your employment contract even if they are not written. Each detail is a term of the contract. The Employment Standards Code entitles you to certain minimums, which you employer must provide to you, like minimum wage.
Last Reviewed: August 2019
When I was hired, my employer did not mention holidays. Does that mean that holidays are not in my employment contract?
It depends on whether the Employment Standards Code covers your job. If it does, then by law you get a minimum number of holidays. The law treats the agreement as though it includes the minimum amount set out in employment standards law.
Last Reviewed: August 2019
Do I have to be a Canadian citizen to be able to get a job?
No. You can hold a job if you are a landed immigrant or have an employment authorization. You will need to obtain a social insurance number (SIN).
For information on how to get a SIN, see Service Canada – SIN information.
For more information, see Alberta Employment and Immigration.
Last Reviewed: August 2019
More Resources
Still looking for more information? Visit our Your Rights at Work page with more information about employment laws in Alberta. Or try searching LawNow’s collection of articles about various employment law topics.
- More FAQs about employment standards (CPLEA)
- FAQs about occupational health & safety (CPLEA)
- FAQs about discrimination and bullying (CPLEA)
- Directory of resources in Alberta (LawCentral Alberta) (French)
- Alberta Employment Standards (Government of Alberta)
- Alberta Human Rights Commission
- Occupational Health and Safety (Government of Alberta)
- Temporary Foreign Workers (Government of Alberta)
- Workers’ Resource Centre (help with employment issues)
- Alberta Workers’ Health Centre (legal information about safe and healthy workplace)
