Nova Scotia's employment standards are set by the Labour Standards Code. As of October 2026, the minimum wage is $17.00 an hour, overtime is time and a half after 48 hours a week, employees get 2 weeks' vacation after each year, and employers must give 1 to 8 weeks' written notice to end a job after 3 months' service.
Nova Scotia calls it labour standards rather than employment standards, but it's the same set of minimum rules. Everything below comes from the Labour Standards Division's pages as they read in October 2026.
The headline numbers
| Rule | Nova Scotia minimum as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $17.00 an hour from 1 October 2026 |
| Call-in minimum | 3 hours' pay at minimum wage, at least $51 |
| Overtime | 1.5 times the regular wage after 48 hours in a week |
| Weekly rest | At least 24 consecutive hours off in every 7 days |
| Vacation | 2 weeks after each 12 months, 3 weeks from the ninth year |
| Vacation pay | 4% of gross wages, 6% from the start of the eighth year |
| Employer notice | 1 to 8 weeks depending on service |
Overtime starts later than you'd think
Nova Scotia's general rule is 1.5 times the regular wage for each hour after 48 hours in a week, where a week is any consistent seven-day period. Some groups, such as managers, supervisors and IT professionals, get overtime at 1.5 times the minimum wage instead of their own rate. The call-in rule also matters: an employee called in outside regular hours must be paid for at least 3 hours at minimum wage, even if they work one.
Vacation: the pay goes up before the time does
This is the insight people miss. Vacation pay rises from 4% to 6% at the start of an employee's eighth year of service, after 7 years. Vacation time rises from 2 weeks to 3 weeks a year later, in the ninth year, after 8 years. So for one year, a long-serving employee earns the higher pay rate before they get the extra week.
- Employers decide when vacation is taken and must give it within 10 months after the 12-month earning period.
- Vacation can be split if the employee agrees, as long as one unbroken week is included.
- Employees who worked less than 90% of regular hours can choose to take the pay without the time off.
- Accumulated vacation pay is due within 10 days after employment ends.
Leave you can take
| Leave | Length | Paid? |
|---|---|---|
| Sick leave (from 1 January 2025) | 5 days a calendar year | Unpaid |
| Medical appointments and family illness | 3 days | Unpaid |
| Serious illness or injury (after 3 months' service) | Up to 27 weeks in a 52-week period | Unpaid |
| Domestic violence leave (from 1 April 2025) | 16 continuous weeks plus 10 days | Up to 5 days paid |
The 27-week serious illness leave lines up with federal EI sickness benefits of 26 weeks plus the one-week waiting period. It doesn't have to be taken in one block, but each period must be at least a week.
Ending employment: notice in writing
Once an employee has worked for 3 months, both sides must give written notice to end the job. If the employer doesn't want the employee to work the notice, it must pay them in lieu, as one lump sum at termination.
| Period of employment | Employer notice | Employee notice |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months to under 2 years | 1 week | 1 week |
| 2 years to under 5 years | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| 5 years to under 10 years | 4 weeks | 2 weeks |
| 10 years or more | 8 weeks, plus extra protection | 2 weeks |
Employees with 10 or more years of service get added protection: they generally can't be dismissed without just cause, and Labour Standards can order reinstatement or pay in lieu of reasonable notice that may exceed 8 weeks. They can still be laid off with 8 weeks' notice for shortage of work or a position eliminated in good faith. During a notice period, the employer can't change the employee's pay or conditions, and final wages are due within 5 working days after the end of the pay period.
My verdict
Nova Scotia's rules are lighter than many employers expect in some places, like overtime at 48 hours, and stricter in others, like the 10-year just cause protection. The two dates to put in every employee file are the start of year 8 for 6% vacation pay and year 10 for the notice and dismissal rules. For holidays, see my Nova Scotia statutory holidays guide, and for the wage itself, my Nova Scotia minimum wage guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia?
As of October 2026, it's $17.00 an hour, in effect from 1 October 2026.
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When does overtime start in Nova Scotia?
The general rule is 1.5 times the regular wage for each hour worked after 48 hours in a week.
How much vacation do you get in Nova Scotia?
2 weeks after each 12 months of work, rising to 3 weeks in the ninth year. Vacation pay is 4% of gross wages, rising to 6% from the start of the eighth year.
Does Nova Scotia have paid sick days?
Sick leave is unpaid: since 1 January 2025, employees can take 5 unpaid sick days a calendar year, plus 3 unpaid days for medical appointments and family illness.
How much notice does an employer have to give in Nova Scotia?
After 3 months' service, 1 week under 2 years, 2 weeks from 2 to 5 years, 4 weeks from 5 to 10 years and 8 weeks for 10 years or more, or pay in lieu.
What is the call-in pay rule in Nova Scotia?
An employee called in outside their regular hours must be paid for at least 3 hours at minimum wage, which is at least $51 as of October 2026, even if they work only one or two hours.
Is domestic violence leave paid in Nova Scotia?
Partly. Since 1 April 2025, employees can take 16 continuous weeks plus 10 days of domestic violence leave, with up to five days of it paid.
How much notice does an employee have to give in Nova Scotia?
One week's written notice with 3 months to under 2 years of service, and two weeks' written notice with 2 years or more.
