Employees in Nova Scotia are entitled new benefits and protections, indicating the province is on its way to a more vibrant and prosperous economy. One good sign: workers earning minimum wage soon will see an increase in their wages. Effective April 1, 2014, Nova Scotia’s general minimum wage rate will increase to $10.40 per hour and for inexperienced workers, the minimum wage will increase to $9.90 per hour.
Another positive change comes in the form of more personal workplace rights and protections. One example, Nova Scotia’s Human Rights Act has been expanded to include gender identity and gender expression as categories protected from employment discrimination or adverse treatment in housing, public accommodations and other services and activities. Similar protections are recognized in Ontario and Manitoba.
Two new employment leaves of absence are also recognized in Nova Scotia: time off to care for a critically ill child, and crime-related child death or disappearance leave. Employees facing a family crisis should not have to worry about taking time off from work to assist their children.
Compliance Poster Company’s Nova Scotia All-On-One Labour Law Poster informs employees of their rights and responsibilities. Don’t forget to update the poster in your workplace.