Warning to Calgary Job Seekers: Unpaid Wages and Cheap Labor Trap at Electronic Recycling Association (ERA)

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my recent experience to warn job seekers in Calgary—especially newcomers, students, and PR holders who might be actively looking for work.

I recently applied for a role with the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) (located at 1315 73 Ave SE, Calgary) through Indeed. The job was advertised at $20/hour.

Here is what happened:

• The Work & Massive Underpayment: I worked 5 full days (40 hours). At $20/hr, my total earned wages should have been $800. At the end of the 5th day, instead of a proper paycheck or direct deposit, they handed me only $290 in cash, with no pay stub, breakdown, or tax documentation provided. They currently owe me $510.
• The Real Cost (Commute & Gas): I was commuting roughly 60 km daily round-trip from NW Calgary to their SE location (totaling 300 km over 5 days). After accounting for gas and basic vehicle wear and tear, I was effectively left with less than $110 for 40 hours of hard physical work—meaning I was basically working for under $3/hour!
• Abrupt Termination & Ignored Claims: Right after handing me the $290 cash, I was suddenly terminated without any clear explanation or performance feedback. When I requested the remaining $510, they ignored my communications. Shortly after, the job posting was removed from Indeed.
• The Repetitive Pattern: Before I applied, I noticed ERA had posted, deleted, and reposted this exact same job listing multiple times over the past month. It appears to be a continuous cycle of hiring people for short-term "trials," giving them a fraction of their wages in cash, and replacing them with the next applicant.

What I Am Doing Now:

1. I have gathered my Google Maps timeline logs (verifying my presence at 1315 73 Ave SE for all 5 days) as evidence of employment.
2. I have officially generated a Demand Letter and filed a wage claim with Alberta Employment Standards (AES) to recover the remaining $510.

A Quick Reminder to Fellow Job Seekers in Calgary:

1. Unpaid/underpaid trial shifts are ILLEGAL in Alberta. You must be paid at least minimum wage ($15/hr), and verbal contracts are legally binding.
2. Cash payments without a pay stub are a major red flag. Employers are legally required under Section 14 of the Alberta Employment Standards Code to provide detailed pay stubs. Lack of paperwork is their liability, not yours.
3. Always log your hours, keep location/commute records, and screenshot job postings before you start!

If anyone else has experienced similar treatment from this organization, I strongly encourage you to file a claim with Alberta Employment Standards as well. Don't let these "non-profit" labels trick you into providing practically free labor.