August 18th, 2025
Come September 1, 2025 Nova Scotia is rolling out new Harassment in the Workplace Regulations under the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act. These regulations require all provincially regulated employers, including restaurants, to implement clear, written policies that prevent and address both physical and psychological harassment.
Under the revised Occupational Health and Safety Act, “health and safety” now explicitly includes psychological health and safety, ensuring mental well-being is treated on par with physical safety.
Starting September 1, 2025, all Nova Scotia employers, including restaurants, must have a written policy to prevent and address workplace harassment.
The new regulations expand occupational health and safety to include psychological well-being, not just physical safety.
The changes stem from systemic issues of racism, inequity, and harassment identified in a 2022 Equity and Anti-Racism report and reinforced by public engagement with over 600 Nova Scotians.
Employers must provide training, clear reporting and investigation procedures, and safe reporting channels for all staff.
Restaurants benefit from compliance by fostering a healthier, more respectful culture, improving retention, and protecting workers from harassment by both coworkers and customers.
The new workplace harassment regulations represent a pivotal opportunity for Nova Scotia’s restaurant sector to transform organizational culture. By embedding well-defined, enforceable policies, providing training, and fostering open communication, restaurant owners can create a workplace where every employee feels safe, supported and valued. After all, a respectful and healthy environment is the best recipe for success.
Workplace harassment includes any inappropriate conduct, comment, display, action, or gesture that causes or could reasonably cause offense, humiliation, or psychological harm. This includes bullying, sexual harassment, threats, racism, repeated incidents, or even a single serious incident.
All restaurants in Nova Scotia must have a workplace harassment policy and complaint process in place by September 1, 2025.
The policy must outline:
Employees can report harassment to their manager, supervisor, HR contact, or designated safe contact. They may also use an anonymous channel (if available) or contact the Nova Scotia Safety Branch at 1-800-952-2687 or SafetyBranch@novascotia.ca.
Failure to implement and follow the new regulations could result in penalties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, inspections by the Department of Labour, and increased risk of legal or reputational damage if harassment incidents are not properly handled.
