Trusted by 1000+ clients
Pay gaps rarely start as deliberate discrimination — they accumulate through inconsistent offers, negotiation, and legacy decisions. But under Alberta and federal law, unexplained differences in pay for similar work can become a human rights liability. We help Calgary employers get ahead of the risk with defensible compensation practices.
The Alberta Human Rights Act requires equal pay for the same or substantially similar work regardless of gender, and systemic pay disparities can support discrimination complaints. Federally regulated employers face additional, proactive obligations under the federal Pay Equity Act, which requires formal pay equity plans on a set timeline. Alberta’s private sector has no standalone proactive pay-equity statute of its own, so the risk here is managed through human rights compliance and voluntary audits, not a mandatory filing regime.
The key defence is being able to justify pay differences on legitimate, documented factors — experience, performance, market conditions — rather than protected characteristics. A proactive compensation audit both reduces legal risk and strengthens recruitment and retention. Federal contractors and federally regulated employers face stricter, mandatory requirements on top of this.
Almost no employer sets out to underpay a group — it happens quietly, one offer and one raise at a time. The employers who stay out of trouble are the ones who audit their pay before someone else does it for them in a complaint.
our services
Managing workplace issues requires practical legal guidance. We help employers across Calgary, Alberta understand their obligations, reduce risk, and make informed business decisions.
We review your compensation data for unexplained gaps, help you identify and justify or correct them, and document legitimate factors so your pay decisions are defensible.
For federally regulated employers, we handle the mandatory Pay Equity Act obligations, and for all employers we build compensation frameworks that reduce future discrimination risk.
testimonials
Don't just take our word for it. Hear from the employees we've helped navigate wrongful dismissal, severance negotiations, and workplace disputes and the outcomes we secured for them.
Employment Law Advocates made a stressful situation so much easier to navigate. Their team was responsive, knowledgeable, and fought hard to secure the outcome I deserved.
After ten years with my employer, I was terminated without cause or proper notice. Lluc and his team explained my rights clearly and built a strong case from day one. They kept me informed at every stage and secured a settlement that recognized my years of service.
I endured months of harassment before I found the courage to seek help. The team treated my situation with real compassion and took my concerns seriously when others hadn't. They guided me through the process and helped me reach a resolution I could live with.
I'd worked as a "contractor" for years, missing out on pay and protections I was actually entitled to. The team recognized the misclassification immediately and fought to recover what I'd lost. Professional, responsive, and genuinely on my side throughout.
I was accused of misconduct and terminated for cause, and I didn't know where to turn. Employment Law Advocates challenged the allegations head-on and stood by me through a difficult process. Their experience and confidence made all the difference in the outcome.
We work with employees from all backgrounds who need trusted legal guidance during difficult workplace situations, including severance package reviews and wrongful dismissal claims.
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