Alberta's Averaging Arrangements: Flexibility or Exploitation?

Controversial Employment Practices Under Fire

In Alberta, a debate is brewing over the province's "averaging arrangements," with workers voicing concerns about potential exploitation. These arrangements allow employers to average an employee's hours over a period, affecting overtime eligibility. One employee shared their experience of working 12-hour shifts for seven consecutive days without receiving overtime pay. The arrangement averaged their hours to 42 per week, falling below the 44-hour threshold for overtime.

Balancing Flexibility and Fairness

While proponents argue that these arrangements offer necessary flexibility for industries with fluctuating workloads, such as oil and gas or healthcare, critics claim they disproportionately benefit employers. The Parkland Institute highlights concerns that such labor policies weaken worker protections. Alberta's government maintains that these rules provide mutual flexibility, yet the community's frustration suggests a need for a reassessment of worker rights within these frameworks.