Is Not Accommodating Childcare Obligations Considered Discrimination in Alberta?
March 1, 2023
Accommodating childcare is a crucial part of being a good parent. When you can’t be there for your child, it can cause stress and tension in the family. In this article, we will explore the definition of accommodation, discuss how accommodation helps families with their family life, and then provide some advice on how to accommodate childcare obligations without violating human rights legislation.
Accommodating Childcare
In Alberta, the definition of accommodating childcare is: “the provision of services for children whose parents cannot care for them because of family circumstances.”
This definition includes:
- providing information about childcare options and facilities in your workplace;
- providing flexible hours to accommodate childcare needs; and
- offering on-site or remote child care services.
Steps to Accommodate
- Plan ahead.
- Talk to your employer about how you could accommodate your childcare obligations. Ask them for help if they aren’t able to do so themselves, or write down what steps you would take if they did assist.
- Ask Human Resources (HR) if there are any support services available at work that might help with childcare arrangements. HR may also be able to connect you with other employees who have experienced similar difficulties in the past and can offer advice on solutions such as daycare or part-time work hours that give parents a chance at their lives outside of home responsibilities.
Why Accommodating Is Important
If you are caring for a child or children, it is important to understand your obligations under the Alberta Human Rights Act. Not all situations require you to accommodate childcare obligations. For example, if a family has an infant who needs care but does not have any older children in the home and can afford it,
then accommodating childcare would not be required under the Act. However, if one of your children has special needs and requires extra care during waking hours (e.,g., school-aged), then accommodations may be necessary even though they are not related directly to their educational needs.
For example: If your child with autism requires constant supervision while sleeping at night because he cannot sit still without falling asleep himself;
Or if your child has trouble sleeping due to nightmares caused by past trauma; then accommodation may include making sure that someone else watches over him while his parents sleep so as not take away from their restful night’s rest! In this case,e providing other arrangements such as hiring someone else who will do this type of watch would meet these needs without violating any rights under our human rights legislation.”
Accommodating childcare can help families with their family life and may help reduce stress the family.
An childcare provider’s duties include providing a safe environment for children. While the laws in Alberta are clear on this, some parents may not be aware of their rights or responsibilities when it comes to accommodating childcare.
When accommodation is required for an individual with a disability, employers must make reasonable efforts to accommodate that person’s needs. In most cases, this means making adjustments to existing policies and procedures until there is no longer a conflict between them and the employee’s ability to perform their job duties effectively (and safely).
This can mean changing schedules so that employees schedule less time off during peak times (such as weekends), finding ways for employees who work from home but need access during certain hours or days – even if they don’t usually require full-time hours –
Conclusion
The Alberta Human Rights Act protects people who are discriminated against based on gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability. The act also protects people from harassment based on these factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your family responsibilities or childcare obligations, we encourage you to seek help from an experienced human rights lawyer.
