Employment Rights
In Nova Scotia, the Labour Standards Code and its Regulations set the basis for the employment relationship. They outline benefits such as minimum wage, vacation and holidays, pregnancy/parental leave and others.
Some parts of the Code do apply to unionized workers; other parts do not apply. For more information, see Unionized Employees and/or Unionized Workplaces.
| Requirement | Document | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Standards Code - All sections of the Code apply to construction except Sections 71 and 72, dealing with termination and notice provisions, which do not apply to “on-site” construction workers. | Guide to the Code (PDF)
Guide du code des normes de travail (PDF) Industry Exemptions (Labour Standards for Construction Workers) |
Labour Standards Code and General Labour Standards Code Regulations |
| Employer must provide a written statement of earnings to employees | n/a | Protection of Pay, Section 9(1) General Labour Standards Code Regulations |
| Application for variance in providing written statement of earnings must be made in writing, and submitted to Director of Labour Standards. | No form. See Section 9(3) for specific information requirements. | Protection of Pay, Section 9(3) of General Labour Standards Code Regulations |
| Granting period of rest for employees | n/a | Period of Rest, Section 66 Labour Standards Code |
| Application for variance in required periods of rest for employees | Online form | Period of Rest, Section 66 of Labour Standards Code |
| Right to minimum wage | n/a | Minimum Wage Order (Construction and Property Maintenance) |
| Application to substitute any other holiday for a general holiday must be made in writing, and submitted to Director of Labour Standards. | No form. See Section 39 of the Code. | Section 39 Labour Standards Code |
| Application for variance in pay period must be made in writing, and submitted to Director of Labour Standards. | No form. See Section 10 General Labour Standards Code Regulations. | Section 79(3)(b) and Section 10 General Labour Standards Code Regulations |