Easily create a legally compliant Employee Handbook for Alberta

Alberta Employee Handbook Template

Build an Alberta-specific employee handbook with ease

Creating an employee handbook that aligns with Alberta employment laws can be time-consuming and complex. This professionally designed Alberta Employee Handbook Template simplifies the process, providing a structured, legally sound, and customizable document for employers.

Designed for Alberta small business, this template helps ensure compliance with the Alberta Employment Standards Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Human Rights Act while setting clear workplace policies for employees.


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Included in the HR Toolkit's Employee Manual Kit.
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Why use this Alberta employee handbook template?

  • Step-by-Step Instructions - It's included in the Employee Manual Kit that guides you through each step of creating, formatting, launching (for existing or new employees) and maintaining your Alberta employee handbook.
  • Legally Compliant – Aligned with current Alberta employment regulations, including workplace safety, leave entitlements, and termination rules.
  • Easy to Customize – Modify sections to match your company policies, industry standards, and workplace culture.
  • Saves Time and Resources – Eliminate the need for costly legal consultations or manual policy creation.
  • Regularly Updated – Ensures compliance with Alberta labor law changes so your business stays protected.
  • Clear Employee Guidelines – Provides employees with consistent policies, reducing disputes and misunderstandings.

What’s included in the Alberta employee handbook template?

This ready-to-use handbook includes required legal policies and best practices for Alberta employers. It also includes step-by-step instructions in the Employee Manual Kit. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Our step-by-step instructions make it easy to create and implement your British Columbia Employee Handbook without confusion. Whether you're new to HR or an experienced professional, our clear, structured guidelines walk you through every stage—from customizing the template to ensuring compliance with Alberta labour laws. With simple, actionable steps, you'll have a professional, legally sound employee handbook ready in no time. 

✔  Project Checklist and Priorities –Ensure you don't miss any steps and know what to implement first. 

✔  Customizing Your Handbook – A step-by-step guide to adding your company’s name, branding, and unique policies.

✔  Understanding AlbertaCompliance Requirements – Clear explanations of mandatory policies required by Alberta employment laws.

✔  Editing & Formatting Tips – Best practices for structuring content, ensuring readability, and maintaining professionalism.

✔  Distributing to Employees – Guidance on launching your Alberta employee handbook digitally for existing and new employees, and collecting signatures.

✔  Keeping Your Handbook Updated – Instructions on reviewing and revising policies as laws or company practices change.

Required Alberta Policies

✔  Employment standards and compliance with the Alberta Employment Standards Code

✔  Workplace health and safety policies aligned with Alberta’s OH&S Act

✔  Workplace harassment, discrimination, and violence prevention

✔  Leaves of absence, including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave

✔  Termination and resignation procedures that comply with Alberta laws

Recommended Policies for Alberta Workplaces

✔  Code of conduct and ethical workplace behavior

✔  Technology, social media, and device usage guidelines

✔  Remote work and hybrid workplace policies

✔  Attendance, time-off, and performance expectations

✔  Confidentiality, privacy, and data protection policies

The template is designed for startups, small businesses, and growing companies looking for an efficient way to create a professional employee handbook while remaining compliant with Alberta labor laws.
 

Included in the HR Toolkit's Employee Manual Kit.
LEARN MORE


Who should use this Alberta employee handbook template?

This template is ideal for:

  • Alberta business owners who need a structured employee manual
  • HR professionals looking for a time-saving, editable handbook
  • Startups and growing businesses that need legally sound policies
  • Companies hiring their first employees and want to set clear guidelines
  • Organizations updating existing policies to reflect the latest Alberta employment laws

This template provides an essential HR resource to help employers stay compliant, reduce risk, and promote a positive workplace.

How it Works

This Alberta Employee Handbook Template is designed for quick implementation. Follow these steps to create your handbook:

  1. Download the template – Get instant access to the editable file.
  2. Customize it for your business – Add your company name, policies, and branding.
  3. Review it –  Ensure it aligns with your workplace needs.
  4. Share with employees – Distribute digitally or in print and collect signed acknowledgments.
  5. Keep it updated – Regularly review policies to stay compliant with Alberta employment regulations.

Download your Alberta employee handbook template today!

Get Instant Access:

  1. Get the HR Toolkit which includes the Employee Manual Kit.
  2. Customize it to fit your needs.
  3. Share it with employees and stay legally compliant.

Get Your Alberta Employee Handbook Template Now

Related Employee Handbook Templates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do Alberta employers need an employee handbook?

While an employee handbook is not legally required, it is highly recommended. A well-structured handbook helps Alberta employers set clear workplace expectations, ensure compliance with Alberta employment laws, and protect the company in case of disputes.

Is this handbook template compliant with Alberta employment laws?

Yes. The template aligns with the Alberta Employment Standards Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S), and Alberta Human Rights Act. It includes policies for employee rights, workplace safety, termination, and leave entitlements to ensure compliance.

Can I edit the Alberta Employee Handbook Template to fit my business?

Absolutely. The template is fully customizable and can be tailored to your industry, company policies, and workplace culture. It is available in an editable format, making updates and modifications easy.

What size of business should use this template?

This handbook is designed for small to mid-sized businesses in Alberta, but startups, large companies, and nonprofits can also use it. The template is structured to be adaptable for companies of any size.

How often should I update my Alberta employee handbook?

Employment laws and regulations in Alberta change over time. It’s best to review and update your handbook annually or whenever Alberta employment laws are revised. The template makes it easy to keep your policies current.

Does this handbook include policies for remote and hybrid work?

Yes. The handbook includes customizable sections for remote and hybrid work arrangements, ensuring employees understand expectations for productivity, security, and communication while working off-site.

What happens after I download the Alberta Employee Handbook Template?

Once downloaded, you can:

  1. Open the template in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
  2. Edit policies and company details to match your workplace.
  3. Review for legal compliance (optional legal consultation recommended).
  4. Distribute it to employees and collect signed acknowledgments.

What format does the template come in?

The Alberta Employee Handbook Template is available in Microsoft Word and Google Docs, making it easy to edit, format, and distribute to employees.

Can I use this template for multiple locations in Canada?

While this template is designed specifically for Alberta employment laws, we also offer province-specific employee handbook templates for other regions, including Ontario, British Columbia, and Canada-wide versions.

How does this template help protect my business?

A clear and legally sound employee handbook can help prevent misunderstandings, reduce legal risks, and protect your company from disputes. It sets clear expectations on issues like employee conduct, termination, workplace safety, and legal compliance.


About the Employee Manul Kit

The Employee Manual Kit:  Different & Better

You can spend thousands of dollars — and hours — creating an employee manual that collects 'dust' on your shelves.  Or, you can create one that's easy-to-use, full of relevant content and written in every-day plain English. 

Here are the top 10 reasons why the HR Toolkit's Employee Manual Kit is the best employee handbook or manual template available. 


1.  Not just an employee manual template

It can be just a Word employee handbook template; but the Employee Manual Kit is a a complete platform to get your project over the finish line. From planning to launch, it includes guidance, tips, and step-by-step  customization instructions.

It also includes a sign-off form and project tools for when you launch your comprehensive manual. It's up to you how much help you access.  


2.  Flexible: go basic or comprehensive

Create Employee Manual
You get a comprehensive menu of topics and policies for each province we support. Together they sport a menu of  225+ topics / policies. We help you figure out what's important and how to prioritize what gets done first.  It's up to you if you want to go all the way with a complete Employee Manual that doubles as an orientation program for staff covering everything they need to know about your workplace, from information about your business to operational details. 

Create Condensed Employee Handbook
Or delete sections and topics with a click of a mouse to create a condensed employee handbook. 


3.  It's a professional and casual document

Made for Today's Workplace

  • Gender neutral. Written without the use of he, she, her, his, etc., without sounding forced.
  • Business-casual. Written in every day language in plain English (except where legalese is required)
  • Uses a modern and business-casual tone.

​Professionally-Written & Compliant

  • Created by experienced HR professionals and consultants
  • Reviewed and edited by one professional writer with a Masters in instructional design resulting in consistent language & voice throughout.  
  • Reviewed by employment lawyers. 

Fresh, Clean & Easy-to-Read 

  • Professional formatting and auto-generated table of contents improves usability and makes you look like a pro!

  • Professional, consistent formatting applied from a custom suite of pre-defined styles
  • Clear, hierarchical header structure make the documents easy to scan and read.

4.  Dead-easy to customize

We've provided click and replace placeholders where you need to place your company-specific information.  Built with easy-to-use styles so you can brand your employee handbook with a couple of clicks.  It provides pre-written text for all policies / topics so you never have to start with a blank page. 


5.  It's well thought out

We've thought of all the details based on decades of helping 1000s of customers create their own employee manuals. You won't be left hanging and you won't hit a dead end. We've anticipated your roadblocks and answer your questions before you'll even know to ask them.    


6.  Help for topics & policies

You'll understand the purpose, importance and benefits of each topic;  any risks associated with it;  level of HR expertise, and time/effort required to customize it;  recommendations for legal review;  if any key decisions or approvals are required;  up-to-date links to the right pages on legislated websites; tips.   


7.  Help with Word & Excel 

We created the employee manual template, so the Word and Excel help we provide was written by us, specifically for using our templates.  You don't need advanced Word or Excel skills to work with the templates, but we know that there's nothing more annoying than getting stuck with a formatting challenge. Get quick snippet videos that tell you exactly how to make your manual look crisp and professional.


8.  Always up to date

The Employee Manual Kit is online so you'll always have access to the latest and greatest version of the templates and we let you know when we make changes.   


9.  You get product support

Get your questions answered from an extensive FAQ library, or contact us with your questions.


10.  It's a total bargain

The Employee Manual Kit was once it's own stand-alone product and is now one of 22 ready-to assemble kits included in HR Toolkit.  Even if you don't think you'll need the other kits, the Employee Handbook Kit is an affordable and cost-effective tool on its own.