Sick Notes

• B.C.’s new rules limit when employers can ask for sick notes

  These changes will allow health-care providers to spend more time with patients who need medical care instead of just filling out sick notes, the government stated in a release.

  Health

  Nov 12, 2025
  
• Sick notes add to pressure on health-care system, Manitoba doctors say

  Doctors Manitoba says physicians field requests for more than 600,000 sick notes every year from employees who take time off work, and that takes time away from treating patients.

  Health

  Jun 17, 2025
  
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• Group representing physicians in Manitoba renew calls to end sick notes

  Doctors Manitoba says physicians write roughly 600,000 sick notes per year and by eliminating them it can free up more than 300,000 visits for patients. 

  Health

  Mar 13, 2025
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• B.C. family doctors renew plea to scrap sick notes: ‘It’s really inefficient’

  The BC College of Family Physicians says writing sick notes is 'not a medically necessary service,' and leaves physicians with a heavy administrative burden.

  Health

  Jan 30, 2025
• B.C. doctors want need for sick notes for short-term illnesses eliminated

  The BC College of Family Physicians said recent survey data showed that 30 per cent of a family physician’s time has been spent on administrative tasks, including sick notes.

  Health

  Nov 27, 2024
• ‘Unnecessary’ sick notes a burden on Manitoba, Canada health-care systems, docs say

  The Canadian Medical Association's Joss Reimer says there are times when a visit to the doctor and a note are absolutely warranted, but not always, and not for minor illnesses.

  Health

  Oct 28, 2024
• Time to scrap sick notes? Canadian doctors say to get rid of them

  As cold and flu season ramps up in Canada, a group of medical professionals is calling for the elimination of sick notes for short-term illnesses.

  Health

  Oct 28, 2024
• N.S. says sick notes from doctors now needed less by workers. Here’s how.

  Nova Scotia employers can no longer request a sick note unless an employee is absent for more than five working days, or has already had two absences in the previous 12 months. 

  Health

  Jun 30, 2023
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• BCGEU calls on all employers to drop doctor’s note requirement amid COVID-19 scare

  The B.C. Government Employees' Union (BCGEU) is encourage employees to waive the requirement for employees to produce a sick note to access sick leave.

  Health

  Mar 10, 2020
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• Asking an employee to get a sick note is a ‘public health risk,’ experts say

  Eight in 10 Canadians said they would go to work sick if their employer required a sick note, and that puts the public in danger.

  Lifestyle

  Oct 6, 2019