Alberta Employment Standards
Alberta uses the "8/44 rule" to determine overtime pay entitlement.
Reviewed by the Time Card Maker editorial team:
Overtime applies after 8 hours in a day.
Overtime applies after 44 hours in a week (whichever is greater logic usually applies).
Not typically required by statute.
Alberta Employment Standards in plain language
Alberta’s basic 8/44 rule treats overtime as the greater of total daily hours above eight or weekly hours above 44. The figures are compared rather than added, preventing the same hours from being counted twice.
Key terms for this calculation
- 8/44 rule
- Compare daily overtime above eight with weekly overtime above 44 and use whichever number is greater.
- Overtime hour
- A covered hour identified by the applicable comparison and paid or banked under current requirements.
- Averaging arrangement
- A compliant arrangement that can alter scheduling and overtime calculations.
Alberta Employment Standards: worked example
A covered employee works four 10-hour days and one 6-hour day, for 46 total hours.
- Daily method: 2 hours × 4 long days = 8
- Weekly method: 46 − 44 = 2
- Use the greater result: 8 overtime hours
38 regular hours and 8 overtime hours under the basic comparison.
Averaging arrangements, variances, exceptions, and industry rules can change the calculation.
How employees and employers can use this page
Employee time-card review
Track every day, not only the weekly total. Four 10-hour days can create eight daily overtime hours even at 40 weekly hours.
Employer payroll review
Calculate daily and weekly candidate totals separately, use the larger number, and retain averaging-arrangement records.
Common calculation and recordkeeping errors
- Adding daily and weekly overtime together.
- Checking only whether the week exceeded 44.
- Treating an informal schedule as an averaging arrangement.
Four-step overtime audit
- Confirm coverage and arrangements.
- Add daily hours above eight.
- Calculate weekly hours above 44.
- Use the greater total.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 8/44 rule?
Calculate daily overtime above 8 hours and weekly overtime above 44 hours separately, then use whichever result produces more overtime hours rather than adding both totals.
Related calculators and guides
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Use our free calculator to see exactly how these rules apply to your hours. It automatically handles overtime math for Alberta Employment Standards.
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