Labour Standards
Unlike in most provinces, tips and gratuities are not protected by the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code. Therefore, your employer can keep all or some of your tips.
This includes deductions that would be considered illegal to take from your wages, like broken dishes, dine-and-dash fees, or any other deduction. For lawful deductions, see the next chapter.
This is not only unfair for workers, but it can also be deceitful to customers who tip on the assumption that the service provider will benefit. Although it is not illegal, it ought to be. We refer to this practice as “tip-theft”.
The Halifax WAC is fighting to have Nova Scotia legislation consider tips wages, so employees are guaranteed their tips and protected from unfair theft or garnishment. To get involved with the campaign or to share your experience with tip theft, check out our campaign page here.