Some non-union staff at Alberta Health Services told to take unpaid time off due to 'budgetary pressures'

Alberta Health Services is forcing some of its employees to take two unpaid days off before the end of March as it faces ongoing "budgetary pressures," according to a memo obtained by CBC News.

The memo sent to staff by Erin O'Neill, AHS senior vice-president of finance and shared services, said non-unionized exempt employees (known as NUEEs) will be impacted, with the exception of employees in specific salary groups.

"Please know that we explored many options before taking this step, but that it is necessary to meet our financial commitments as we continue to face budgetary pressures," the memo stated.

An AHS spokesperson confirmed the "one-time measure" is impacting some of its non-unionized staff but did not say how many employees are mandated to take the 15.5 hours of unpaid leave.