Alberta Stat Holidays | How to Pay Dispensary Employees

Interested in learning about the stat holidays in Alberta? Then you've come to the right place!

In this article, we will talk about the nine Alberta stat holidays and how to pay your cannabis dispensary staff.

What are the stat holidays in Alberta?

1. New Year's Day - January 1st
2. Alberta Family Day - Third Monday in February
3. Good Friday - Friday preceding Easter Sunday
4. Victoria Day - Last Monday preceding May 25th
5. Canada Day* - July 1st, except for when July 1st is a Sunday, then it is moved to July 2nd
6. Labour Day - First Monday in September
7. Thanksgiving Day - Second Monday in October
8. Remembrance Day - November 11th
9. Christmas Day - December 25th

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In addition to these nine holidays, Alberta has three optional stat holidays. It is up to the employer to decide to observe these holidays. If the employer agrees to any of these days, all employment standards rules related to stat holidays will apply. The additional optional days are:

• Easter Monday - First Monday following Easter
• Heritage Day - First Monday in August
• Boxing Day - December 26th

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How does an employee qualify for statutory holiday pay in Alberta?

Employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay if they have worked 30 workdays for the same employer in the 12 months prior to the holiday.

Most employees are eligible to receive stat holiday and receive statutory holiday pay if: 

• The statutory holiday is a regular workday
• The employee works on the statutory holiday, but it is not a regular workday for the employee

The employee must work their last regularly scheduled shift before the holiday, as well as their first regularly scheduled shift after the holiday. If either of these conditions are not met, then an employee is not entitled to stat holiday pay.

For example: Joe works Monday to Friday, and the next stat holiday falls on a Friday. Joe is scheduled to work on the Thursday before the holiday and the Monday after the holiday. He must work these entire shifts to be eligible for stat pay. Joe has requested Monday off to extend his weekend. His manager approves his request, therefore Joe is still eligible for stat holiday pay.

However, if Joe's request is not accepted, and he does not show up, then he will not receive holiday pay when off.

Do I have to pay all employees for stat holidays in Alberta?

If the holiday falls on a regular work day and the employee does not work, they get paid at least their average daily wage. If the employee works on the holiday, which is also a regular day of work, the employee is entitled to a rate of 1.5 times their regular wage plus their average daily wage. Or if the employee works on the holiday, they may also opt to receive their regular rate for the hours worked, plus a day off in the future where they receive wages of their average daily rate for that day.

What happens when the holiday falls on a non regular work day? If the employee does not work, they are not eligible for stat holiday pay. If they do work, they receive 1.5 times their regular wage for hours worked, but not their daily average.

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Do part time employees get statutory holiday pay in Alberta?

They sure do!  All full time and part time employees are eligible to receive stat pay.  ‍

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What is the stat holiday pay calculation for employees in Alberta?

Calculating stat pay for our employees is a necessary and legal part of business, but calculating it accurately makes your place a great place to work.  Read our article here about other ways managing human capital helps small business owners retain and elevate great employees.

Public holiday pay is calculated by adding up the number of wages your employee has earned in the 4 weeks prior to the holiday, divided by 20. 

 The four weeks before the public holiday can be either: 

• The 4 weeks immediately leading up to the stat holiday
• The 4 weeks ending on the last day of the pay period that immediately preceded the stat holiday. 

Here's an example: Peter is paid $14/hour and works regular hours 5 days per week.  In the 4 weeks (28 days) leading up the holiday, Peter worked 20 days and made $1120.   He also worked his last scheduled shift before the holiday and will be working the first shift after. He is eligible for both regular stat pay and premium stat pay should he be scheduled for the day.

• Regular wages earned in the last 4 weeks = $14 x 80 hours = $1120
• $1120 / 20 = $56 in regular stat pay

In total, Peter will be paid $56 in regular statutory pay, even if he does not work the holiday.

What is the stat premium pay calculation in Alberta?

In addition to Alberta stat holiday pay, employees who work on the holiday are also entitled to either:

• Premium pay. This is calculated at one and a half times the regular wage x the number of hours they worked. 

OR

• Their regular rate for the hours worked on the public holiday, plus a substitute day off work with public holiday pay.

You, as the employer chooses which of these options will apply.

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Premium Pay example:

Last pay period, Jane is paid $12/hour and works four 8 hour shifts. She also works an 8 hour shift on the holiday. She is eligible for both regular and premium stat pay. 

To calculate her total stat pay:

• Regular wages earned in the last 4 weeks = $12 x 32 (8×4) hours = $384 + $15.36 (vacation pay, paid out per cheque)
• $399.36 / 20 = $19.97 in regular stat pay

PLUS

• 1.5 x ($12 x 8 hours) = $144 in premium pay
• In total, Jane will be paid $163.97 in statutory pay
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How can I automate stat holiday pay calculations?

Can you imagine how much time you would save if you could automate your holiday pay calculations? Well you can.

KayaPush has created smart software that integrates with your staffing back end to automatically calculate stat holiday pay while scheduling and paying staff. Payroll and holiday pay calculations are done at the click of a button.
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For further information on automating statutory holiday calculations download our free guide! Or, connect with a helpful team member at KayaPush today.

‍This document is provided by KayaPush for information purposes only. This is not an official or legal document and should not be taken as legal advice. KayaPush does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on Alberta Stat Holidays in 2022 please check with the proper governing authorit