Labour Law vs. Employment Law

There are two distinct areas of law relating to workers: 1) labour law, and 2) employment law.

Labour Law: Applies to all unionized workers, people working on a First Nations Reserve, or people working in federally regulated industries (like airlines, telecommunications, and banks). In practice, labour law involves the negotiation and enforcement of collective agreements, as well as the arbitration and settlement of labour disputes including workplace discipline and discharge matters and contract interpretation issues.

Employment Law: Applies to all other workers and involves the application of prior court decisions and legislation (e.g. Alberta Employment Standards Code), to resolve disputes between employees and employers.  Unless you are in a union, employment law principles likely apply to your situation.

How we can help

If you have been terminated from your employment or are an employer looking to dismiss employees, you need to know your legal rights and obligations. Our wrongful dismissal lawyers will advise you on standards relating to compensation, notice, and your ability to pursue a new position. Please see our wrongful dismissal services for more information.

If you are a business requiring legal assistance on employment matters, such as drafting employment agreements, please contact our business lawyers.