Salaries and Benefits
In Canada, most employers pay either an hourly wage, or a yearly salary. Salaries and wages vary depending on the type of work or job being performed.
In most permanent jobs, people get paid a set salary. Salaries can vary depending on your career.
Labour Standards change from province to province. It is very important to know your rights, benefits and responsibilities before you accept any position.
The following are some basic facts about employment in Nova Scotia. For more detailed information about labour standards, see the Guide to the
Labour Standards Code of Nova Scotia.
Additional BenefitsUsually, along with regular pay, there are also other benefits like sick day allowances, vacation pay and sometimes health insurance. Benefits vary by employer. Be sure to find out all details about salaries and benefits before accepting any position.
Many Canadian employers provide more benefits than are required by law such as
- Life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Income replacement plans
- Private or semi-private hospital plans
- Drug, vision and dental care plans
Minimum Wage: The least amount you can be paid.As of April 1, 2004, in Nova Scotia an employee with less than three months in field of work cannot be paid less than $6.05 per hour and a worker with more than three months in the field of work cannot be paid less than $6.50 per hour.
After 12 months of employment, an employer is required to give employees two weeks of paid vacation. This two weeks must be taken within 10 months after the vacation was earned. If vacation pay is being provided it must be calculated at 4% of the regular wage.
Holiday PayEmployees are entitled to be paid for 5 holidays throughout the year. New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day.
Overtime Workers are generally paid in two ways. One way is to be paid for hours worked. The other way is to receive a salary – that is, you are paid a set amount regardless of how many hours you work.
If you are an hourly employee, your pay is based on an hourly wage. In Nova Scotia, minimum wage is $6.05 per hour. That is the smallest amount an employer can pay you. This pays you that amount for up to 48 work hours a week. If you are asked to work more than that, you must be paid overtime.
Overtime rates are usually set at 1.5 times your hourly rate. So if your wage is $6.05 per hour, any hours you work beyond 48 must pay $6.05 PLUS half that amount – $3.03 – for a total of $9.08 per hour for all hours above 48. This is called “time and a half.”
Pregnancy and Parental LeaveA pregnant employee is allowed up to 17 weeks of unpaid leave. Any parent (male or female) has the right to take a leave when a new child is born or adopted. For a combination of pregnancy and parental leave, the employee can take up to 52 weeks without loss of seniority, and must be given their old job or one similar to it.
UnionsA unionized worker is a member of a group of employees (a union) that have legally joined together to improve their workplace conditions. Unions usually elect Union Reps, who are the official representatives in bargaining agreements with employers. In many cases, unions negotiate for better working conditions and benefits for their members.