1. Position and Duties
The Employer agrees to employ the Employee in the position of [[Job Title / Position]], reporting to [[Reporting Manager Title or Name]].
The Employee's duties and responsibilities shall include [[detailed description of primary duties, e.g., managing sales operations, overseeing project delivery, providing professional services, supervising staff, etc.]], and such other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Employer from time to time consistent with the Employee's position.
The Employee shall devote such time, attention, skill, and effort as is necessary to perform the duties faithfully, diligently, and to the best of the Employee's ability. The Employee shall comply with all lawful policies, procedures, and directions of the Employer.
2. Term of Employment
The employment shall commence on [[Start Date]] and shall continue:
[[for an indefinite term until terminated in accordance with this Agreement or applicable law. OR for a fixed term ending on [[End Date]], subject to earlier termination as provided herein.]]
The first [[e.g., three (3)]] months of employment shall constitute a probationary period. During the probationary period, either Party may terminate the employment relationship without notice or severance, except as required by the Alberta Employment Standards Code (the "Code" or "ESC").
3. Compensation
The Employer shall pay the Employee:
- A base salary/wage of $[[Annual Salary or Hourly Rate]] [[per year / per hour]], payable [[bi-weekly / semi-monthly / monthly]] in arrears by [[direct deposit / cheque]] on the Employer's regular payroll dates.
- [[Bonus / Commission Structure, e.g., an annual performance bonus of up to X% of base salary, or commissions at Y% of sales, subject to the Employer's bonus policy in effect from time to time.]]
- Any other compensation as agreed in writing.
The Employee authorizes the Employer to make all required statutory deductions including income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums.
4. Benefits
The Employee shall be entitled to participate in the Employer's benefit plans, if any, in accordance with the terms of those plans, including:
- [[Health and dental benefits, life insurance, short and long term disability, etc.]]
- Pension or retirement savings plan contributions, if applicable.
Eligibility and coverage details are set out in the plan documents. The Employer reserves the right to amend or terminate benefit plans at any time in accordance with plan terms and applicable law.
5. Vacation and Holidays
The Employee shall be entitled to vacation in accordance with the Alberta Employment Standards Code minimums:
- After one year of employment: at least [[two (2)]] weeks of paid vacation per year.
- After five years of employment with the same Employer: at least [[three (3)]] weeks of paid vacation per year.
Vacation shall be taken at times approved by the Employer. Vacation pay shall be calculated and paid in accordance with the Code.
The Employee shall also receive paid statutory holidays as provided under the Code and any applicable regulations.
6. Hours of Work and Overtime
The Employee's regular hours of work shall be [[e.g., 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.]], subject to the Employer's operational needs.
Overtime shall be paid or banked in accordance with the Alberta Employment Standards Code and any applicable exemptions for the Employee's position (e.g., managerial or supervisory exemptions).
The Employee agrees to work such reasonable additional hours as may be necessary to perform the duties of the position.
7. Confidentiality
During and after employment, the Employee shall not disclose or use any confidential or proprietary information of the Employer, its clients, or business partners, except as required in the performance of duties or as authorized in writing.
Confidential information includes trade secrets, customer lists, pricing, business plans, financial information, processes, and any other non-public information.
This obligation survives termination of employment indefinitely for trade secrets and for a reasonable period for other confidential information.
8. Intellectual Property and Assignment
All inventions, works, ideas, improvements, processes, software, documentation, and other intellectual property created by the Employee in the course of employment or using the Employer's resources shall be the sole property of the Employer.
The Employee hereby assigns and agrees to execute all documents necessary to perfect the Employer's ownership of such intellectual property, both during and after employment.
9. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation
During employment and for a period of [[e.g., twelve (12) months]] following termination of employment for any reason, the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly:
- Engage in any business that competes with the Employer within the geographic area of [[e.g., the Province of Alberta / specific cities or radius]], in a capacity that would involve use or disclosure of the Employer's confidential information or goodwill.
- Solicit or attempt to solicit any customer, client, or supplier of the Employer with whom the Employee had material contact during employment, for the purpose of providing competing services or products.
- Solicit or hire any employee of the Employer to leave their employment.
The Parties acknowledge that any post-employment restrictive covenant must be reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic reach to be enforceable under Alberta common law. If any provision is found unenforceable, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.
10. Termination
By the Employee: The Employee may resign by providing written notice to the Employer. The notice period shall be as required by the Alberta Employment Standards Code or as agreed in writing.
By the Employer without just cause: The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment without just cause by providing:
- Notice or pay in lieu of notice in accordance with the minimum standards of the Alberta Employment Standards Code (generally one (1) week per year of service, up to a maximum of eight (8) weeks);
- Any additional common law notice or severance that may be required, unless limited by a valid and enforceable termination clause in this Agreement.
By the Employer for just cause: The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment at any time for just cause without notice or severance. Just cause includes, but is not limited to, serious misconduct, dishonesty, willful neglect of duty, breach of this Agreement, harassment, or conviction of a criminal offense relevant to employment.
The Employer shall comply with all procedural requirements under the Code and common law before relying on just cause.
11. Return of Property
Upon termination of employment or at any time upon request, the Employee shall immediately return all Employer property, including documents, data, equipment, keys, access cards, and any copies or derivatives of confidential information.
12. Representations and Warranties
The Employee represents that:
- The Employee has the legal right to work in Canada and in Alberta.
- All information provided in the application and during hiring is true and complete.
- The Employee is not subject to any non-compete or other restriction that would prevent performance under this Agreement.
13. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
The Parties attorn to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Alberta.
14. Entire Agreement and Amendments
This Agreement, together with any schedules, policies incorporated by reference, and any offer letter, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, and agreements.
No amendment or waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both Parties.
15. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect. Invalid provisions shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make them valid and enforceable while preserving the Parties' intent.
16. Independent Legal Advice
The Employee acknowledges having had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice regarding this Agreement before signing and understands its terms, including termination and restrictive covenant provisions.
Template - not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. This is a template employment contract for use in Alberta, Canada. It is intended to comply with the Alberta Employment Standards Code (RSA 2000 c E-9) minimum standards for notice, vacation, and other entitlements. Probationary periods are generally limited to three months. Restrictive covenants are enforceable only if reasonable. The Employer and Employee should consult qualified Alberta employment counsel to customize and review for current law, any federal jurisdiction overlays (Canada Labour Code), and specific circumstances. As of 2026.
Primary Sources (as of 2026-06):
- Alberta Employment Standards Code, RSA 2000 c E-9 and regulations
- Common law principles applicable to employment contracts in Alberta
- Canada Labour Code (where federally regulated employment applies)
Signatures
Employer:
Signature: ________________________________ Date: [[Start Date]]
Printed Name: [[Employer Signatory Name]]
Title: [[Title]]
Employee:
I have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Agreement.
Signature: ________________________________ Date: [[Start Date]]
Printed Name: [[Employee Full Legal Name]]
