Nova Scotia Proposes Earlier Overtime and New Protection for Tips

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia workers could qualify for overtime sooner under legislation introduced at Province House this week.

The proposed changes would lower the province’s overtime threshold from 48 hours per week to 44 hours. They would also expand overtime eligibility to cover permitted voluntary overtime, rather than only additional hours required by an employer.

The legislation would also explicitly protect tips and gratuities, requiring that they go to the workers who earn them. The province says new tools would also be introduced to help recover unpaid wages owed by employers.

The overtime and gratuity changes are scheduled to take effect April 1, 2027, if the legislation passes. Some sectors, including construction and agriculture, would not be covered by all of the proposed overtime changes.

Source and photo: Government of Nova Scotia — Labour Standards announcement