The Short Answer: Training and On-Call Pay
In Alberta, unpaid training is generally illegal. If your employer requires you to attend training, orientation, or meetings, it is considered work and must be paid at your regular wage or at least minimum wage.
Additionally, if you are required to report to work for any mandatory activity — even if it lasts only 30 minutes — you are protected by the 3-hour minimum pay rule.
Don’t Work for Free
Employers often use “trials” or “voluntary orientation” to avoid paying new staff. Under the Employment Standards Code, if the employer directs your time, they must pay you. If you have been denied pay for training, our Alberta team can help you recover those wages.
On This Page:
Is Unpaid Training Legal in Alberta?
Once an employer-employee relationship is established, any time you spend working at the direction of your employer must be paid. This includes unpaid training in Alberta that is mandatory for your role, such as:
- First-day orientation and safety seminars.
- Job shadowing or “probationary” trial shifts.
- Completing required online certifications or courses.
If you are required to report to a specific location for training, you are entitled to the 3-hour minimum pay rule. This means even if the training is only an hour long, you must be paid for at least 3 hours of work at the minimum wage.
On-Call Pay in Alberta: When Are You Owed Money?
Whether you receive on-call pay in Alberta depends on the level of control your employer has over your location and activities:
- Restricted On-Call: If you are required to stay at the worksite while waiting to be called, you must be paid for all of those hours.
- Unrestricted On-Call: If you are free to stay at home but must keep your phone on, you are generally not entitled to pay until you actually start performing a task.
- Reporting to Work: Once you are called and begin working, the 3-hour minimum rule applies.
Pay for Mandatory Staff Meetings
If your employer requires you to attend a meeting outside of your regular shift, it is considered work time. You must be paid for the duration of the meeting at your regular wage.
If the meeting is mandatory and you have to travel to the site, you are entitled to the 3-hour minimum pay even if the meeting is brief.
When Training Does Not Require Pay
There are rare exceptions where an employer does not have to pay for your time, such as:
- The training is entirely voluntary and is not required for your current job.
- The “test” or training is part of the hiring process before an offer of employment is extended.
- You agreed as a condition of your hire to obtain an external certification (like a professional license) at your own expense.
Recover Your Unpaid Wages in Alberta
If your employer is refusing to pay for mandatory training or ignoring on-call rules, Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help. We protect Alberta workers from wage theft and ensure you are compensated for every hour you work. For information on daily breaks, please see our guide to Break Times and Meal Periods.