Alberta Severance Pay Calculator

Estimate the statutory minimum termination pay in Alberta from your length of service and weekly pay.

WH By WageHour Tools Editorial Team Verified against official sources June 17, 2026 How we research
This is the statutory floor, not the likely payout. In Canada, dismissed non-unionized employees can often claim common-law reasonable notice, which is frequently far higher — sometimes around a month per year of service. Treat this number as the legal minimum.

Alberta termination pay rules

Alberta's Employment Standards Code sets graduated termination pay from 1 week (after 90 days' service) up to 8 weeks (10+ years).

  • 1 week (90 days–2 yr), 2 weeks (2–4 yr), 4 weeks (4–6 yr), 5 weeks (6–8 yr), 6 weeks (8–10 yr), 8 weeks (10+ yr).
  • An employer can give the equivalent written notice instead of termination pay.
  • These are statutory minimums — common-law reasonable notice is often higher.

This estimates the Alberta statutory minimum. Common-law reasonable notice can be significantly higher for many employees. Confirm with Alberta Employment Standards or an employment lawyer.

Termination pay by length of service

Completed service Weeks' pay
90 days+ 1 week
2+ years 2 weeks
4+ years 4 weeks
6+ years 5 weeks
8+ years 6 weeks
10+ years 8 weeks
Official sources

Frequently asked questions

How is statutory termination pay calculated in Alberta?

It is based on length of service — broadly one week's pay per year, up to a maximum of 8 weeks. You generally qualify after 90 days of employment. The calculator multiplies the weeks owed by your weekly pay.

Is this the same as common-law severance?

No. This is the statutory minimum set by employment standards. Non-unionized employees can often claim common-law reasonable notice instead, which is frequently much higher — sometimes around a month of pay per year of service. The statutory amount is a floor, not a ceiling.

Can an employer give notice instead of pay?

Yes. Employers can usually provide the equivalent period of written working notice, pay in lieu, or a combination. Termination pay is what is owed when sufficient notice is not given.

What's the maximum statutory amount in Alberta?

The statutory termination entitlement is capped at 8 weeks' pay. Additional entitlements (such as Ontario's separate ESA severance pay or common-law notice) can exceed this.