Skip to content
WalnutsHR is now live — try Pro free for 30 days. Start free
Skip to content
walnutsHR
HR for Nova Scotia

HR software built for Nova Scotia teams

Nova Scotia employment standards, statutory holiday tracking, and provincial leave rules — handled automatically.

Start free for Nova ScotiaTry the NS payroll calculator →
Minimum wage

$15.70 /hr

Standard work week

48 hours

Statutory holidays 2026

6

Employment standards at a glance

Overtime
After 48 hours/week at 1.5×
Minimum vacation
2 weeks after 1 year; 3 weeks after 8 years

What Nova Scotia employers should know

  • Nova Scotia uses the Labour Standards Code for most private-sector employees.
  • Overtime threshold is higher (48 hours) than most other provinces — verify classification rules.

2026 statutory holidays

New Year's DayJan 1
Nova Scotia Heritage DayFeb 16
Good FridayApr 3
Canada DayJul 1
Labour DaySep 7
Christmas DayDec 25

Observed dates may shift when a holiday falls on a weekend. Confirm with Nova Scotia Labour Standards Division for official dates.

HR guides by industry for Nova Scotia

Industry-specific guides for Nova Scotia employers. Pick yours below for a deeper dive into the compliance, payroll, and HR particulars for your sector.

Professional Services

HR for law, accounting, and consulting firms in NS

Retail

HR for retail businesses in NS

Hospitality

HR for restaurants, hotels, and tourism businesses in NS

Healthcare

HR for clinics, dental offices, and medical practices in NS

Construction

HR for construction companies in NS

How WalnutsHR handles Nova Scotia HR

We handle Nova Scotia statutory holidays, employment-standards-aware vacation accrual, and Canadian-region database hosting by default. 30-day free trial.

Start free for Nova Scotia