Information sheets

The Commission publishes information sheets related to human rights law.  The information sheets cover a range of important human rights issues, providing a brief overview of the topic and, in some instances, citing case law. 

Please note: The dates beside the titles listed below are the dates of the current versions of the information sheets. If you have a previous version of an information sheet (dated earlier than the date below), please discard it and use the current version, which you can link to below. 

Alberta's human rights legislation was amended on October 1, 2009. The Commission is in the process of updating its information sheets to reflect the amendments. If an information sheet is dated before October 2009, it has not yet been updated. Even if the sheet has not been updated, most of the information is still current. The most notable changes to the information sheets will be:

  • The legislation is now called the Alberta Human Rights Act (previously Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act).
  • The Commission is now called the Alberta Human Rights Commission (previously Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission).
  • Sexual orientation is now written into the legislation as a protected ground (previously it was "read in").

You can read more about the amendments in these publications:

The information sheets are arranged under four categories:

1. General history and Commission information

  • Amendments to Alberta's human rights legislation (October 2009)
         TEXT / PDF
  • Protected areas and grounds under the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act (March 2007)
         TEXT / PDF
  • Areas and grounds protected (chart.) (March 2007)
         TEXT / PDF

    2. Complaint process

  • Complaint process (March 2007)
        TEXT /PDF
  • Complaint process chart
  • Information for complainants (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Information for respondents (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Conciliation (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Remedy (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Human rights complaint form and guide (August 2005)

    3. Human rights and employment 

  • Pre-employment inquiries (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • A recommended guide for pre-employment inquiries (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Employment: Duty to accommodate (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Employment: Releases, severance agreements and human rights law (March 2007) 
        TEXT / PDF
  • Developing and implementing an effective harassment and sexual harassment policy (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Sample harassment policy (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Harassment as a form of discrimination (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Sexual harassment (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace:
    A summary for employers (October 2009) 
         TEXT / PDF
  • Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace:
    A summary for employees (October 2009) 
         TEXT / PDF
  • Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace:
    A summary for doctors (October 2009)
             TEXT / PDF 

    4. Protected grounds

  • Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Mental or physical disabilities and discrimination (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Employment equity (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Equal pay for similar work (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Family status and marital status (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Source of income (May 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Pregnancy and maternity leave (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Sexual orientation (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Appearance and dress codes (March 2007)
        TEXT / PDF
  • Racial profiling (November 2008)
        TEXT / PDF 
  • Drug and alcohol dependencies in Alberta workplaces (February 2009)
        TEXT / PDF

    These publications are available in text format and portable document format (PDF - Adobe Acrobat Reader).  Please use the PDF version of a given document when printing a copy for personal or professional use when you want to retain formatting and graphics.  Or order these and other publications online.

    Revised: May 13, 2010

     

     

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    Due to confidentiality concerns, the Commission cannot reply
    to complaints of discrimination using the Internet.

    Please contact the Commission by telephone or regular mail
    if you have a specific complaint.

    The Commission will make publications available in accessible multiple formats upon request. Multiple formats provide access for people with disabilities who do not read conventional print.