As of April 1, 2021, Nova Scotia’s minimum wage will increase from $12.55 per hour to $12.95 per hour. The minimum wage rate applies to a work week of 48 hours or less.
Government is also eliminating the inexperienced minimum wage rate. Currently, employers can pay an inexperienced rate when an employee has less than three months’ experience in the kind of work they do and has worked for them for less than three months.
April 1 falls in the middle of the pay period, can I wait until the next pay period to start paying the new minimum wage?
No. The new minimum wage comes into effect on April 1, 2021. Any hours worked on that date and after must be paid at a minimum of $12.95 per hour.
Example: The pay period is March 29 to April 11, 2021. The employee works 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday, and is paid at minimum wage.
Rate from March 29 to March 31: $12.55
Rate from April 1 to April 11: $12.95
Do I have to increase the salaries of my employees who currently earn more than the minimum wage?
No. The law requires that you pay at least the minimum wage to all employees; beyond that, wage increases are at your discretion.
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