Paycheques

By law, employers must pay employees at least once every month. Most employers pay workers by cheque or direct deposit every two weeks or twice a month.

You can exchange a paycheque for cash at a bank or financial institution where you have an account. If you arrange for direct deposit, your pay is electronically deposited in your bank account on regular paydays.

The Alberta Employment Standards Code allows the following deductions to be made from employee earnings:

• Income tax payments.
• Canada pension plan contribution.
• Employment insurance contribution.
• Alberta health care insurance premiums.

Your employer must have your written permission to make deductions for contributions to employee pension plans, company dental plan or parking. Usually, employers provide information about these deductions and obtain your permission before you start work.
There is more information available on additional deductions and other Employment Standards Code requirements by visiting the Alberta Employment and Immigration's Employment Standards website or calling their help line at 780-427-3731 in Edmonton or toll-free in Alberta by dialing 310-0000 and entering 780-427-3731.

More information about payment for work and employment standards is available in the publication A Guide to Rights and Responsibilities in Alberta Workplaces produced by Alberta Employment and Immigration. To order your free copy, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline at 780-422-4266 in Edmonton or 1-800-661-3753 toll-free. You can also download or order a copy on-line from the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) publications catalogue.

Date Updated: Jul 16, 2008
RDP-651