Information for Parents Regarding Employer Status

1)         Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

CRA will determine if an employer/employee relationship exists between a family and their caregiver. Families are encouraged to contact CRA and request a ruling. CRA makes this determination on case-by-case basis. The toll-free number for CRA is 1-800-959-5525.

As an employer, the family is legally obligated to comply with all relevant employment laws and is required to pay CRA directly on a monthly basis for Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and personal income taxes for their employees.

Information on CCRA can be found on their web site at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/. The booklet “Employee or Self-Employed?” can be accessed at this location.

2)         Alberta Employment Standards  

Employment Standards oversees the legislation affecting working conditions and standards in Alberta relating to the hiring of employees. They can provide families with information about minimum wage, hours of work, vacation time and over time pay.

Families have toll-free access from anywhere in Alberta by calling the Government Rite number at 310-0000 and asking for the Employment Standards Client Services Office.

Information on Alberta Employment Standards can be found on their web site http://employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/1224.html. The following Fact Sheets can be retrieved from this site: “Employment Standards Guide” and “Domestic Employment”.

3)         Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta (WCB)

Workers’ Compensation is a disability insurance system set up to protect both the employer and their employees. Inquiries regarding the possible requirement to provide WCB coverage and what these requirements are should be directed to the WCB.

Families have toll-free access from anywhere in the province by calling the Government Rite number at 310-0000 and asking to be connected to the nearest WCB office. The WCB web site is located at http://www.wcb.ab.ca/home/.

4)         Financial and Payroll Responsibilities  

To address the record keeping and/or payroll requirements of being an employer, some families may seek the advice and services of an accountant, a Payroll Service or with assistance of the CRA staff fulfill these responsibilities on their own. Some payroll services may be availableonline or by telephone.

5)   Alberta Occupational Health and Safety

Information on Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety can be found on the Government of Canada Website at http://bsa.cbsc.org/.

This website provides information, guides and resources on Alberta and federal occupational health and safety requirements for the workplace, and information on hiring employees. They can be reached toll-free at1-888-576-4444.

6)   Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission

Website: http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/  

The Commission providespublic information and assistance to help Albertans resolve human rights complaints.
Northern Regional Office Confidential Inquiry Line (780) 427-7661
Southern Regional Office Confidential Inquiry Line (403) 297-6571
To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 and then enter the area code and phone number. 

7)      Insurance

A family may want to contact to their personal insurance agent or company regarding their homeowner policy and options for legal liability insurance, if employing a worker in the family home. 

8)      Legal Advice  

Some families may wish to seek legal advice prior to or during the process of becoming established as an employer.