To Ease Doctor Burdens, BC Workers No Longer Need Sick Notes for Short-Term Illness: Province

To Ease Doctor Burdens, BC Workers No Longer Need Sick Notes for Short-Term Illness: Province

B.C. employees will no longer be required to get a sick note from their doctor for illnesses under five days, according to changes by the B.C. government to ease the burden on doctors. The province said Nov. 12 the new rules will free up doctors to spend more time with patients and bars employers from demanding a sick note for an employee’s first two health-related absences of five days or less in a year. “When you’re sick with the flu, or your …

Canada: British Columbia Restricts Employer Requests for Sick Notes

Open the article to view the coverage from Littler Mendelson P.C.

New rules dictate sick note distribution | Columbia Valley, Cranbrook, East Kootenay, Elk Valley, Kimberley, Ktunaxa Nation

The B.C. Ministry of Labour announced Nov. 12 new rules that limit when employers can ask for sick notes and will allow more time for health-care providers to spend with patients, effective immediately. Under the new employment standards regulations, employers cannot ask for a sick note for a worker’s first two health-related, short-term absences of five consecutive days or fewer in a calendar year, a ministry media release said. “When you’re si…

Effective Immediately: New BC Sick Note Rules

British Columbia has officially changed the rules on when employers can request sick notes, and the new restrictions are effective immediately.These reforms, announced on November 12, 2025, significantly limit when employers can ask workers to obtain medical documentation for short-term illness.The goal is clear: Reduce unnecessary doctor visits Free up health-care resources Protect workers who need to stay home when they’re sick …