Alberta Health Services Orders Non-Union Staff to Take Unpaid Leave Before April 2026
What’s Happening at AHS?
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has ordered some non-unionized employees to take 2 unpaid days off before April 2026 as it navigates ongoing “budgetary pressures.”
“AHS continues to look for efficiencies and cost savings to meet our financial commitments without impacting patient care,” spokesperson Kristi Bland said in an email to CBC News.
“This is a one-time measure impacting some of our non-unionized workforce. It does not impact frontline staff, and no health-care services will be impacted by this measure.”
Bland didn’t disclose how many staffers are mandated to take the 15.5 hours of unpaid leave, but shared that workers earning below a certain threshold aren’t affected.
The bombshell update comes as the Alberta government continues to restructure of the province’s health system.
SEE ALSO
• Former AHS CEO Files $1.7M Wrongful Dismissal Lawsuit
• AHS Shows 6 Senior Executives the Door, Part of Restructuring
Lior Samfiru on the “One-Time Measure”
“If this move by AHS truly is a ‘one-time measure,’ it’s unlikely that affected non-unionized employees have grounds for a constructive dismissal claim,” said Lior Samfiru, an employment lawyer and national co-founding partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
“However, if unpaid leave mandates become a regular occurrence — regardless of an individual’s earning threshold — workers can absolutely pursue full severance through a constructive dismissal claim since employers in Canada don’t have the right to force staff to take a leave of absence without pay.
If you’re a non-unionized employee at AHS, check out our Alberta Constructive Dismissal Guide. You can also use our free Pocket Employment Lawyer tool for real-time insights.
Workplace Issue at AHS? Get Help Now
Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP: 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.
Our employment lawyers in Alberta, British Columbia (BC), and Ontario have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve various workplace issues, including constructive dismissals.
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You must go through your union. By law, employment lawyers can’t represent unionized employees.
Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.
About the Author
Lior Samfiru
Lior Samfiru is a Founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and the Practice Leader of the firm’s Labour & Employment Law Group. Known for his advocacy and success representing both employees and employers, Lior exclusively serves clients in Ontario, where his extensive experience has made him one of Canada’s most sought-after employment lawyers.
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