The British Columbia government has implemented new regulations to restrict when employers can request sick notes, aiming to ease the burden on doctors and prevent the further spread of illness. According to a government announcement, the updated employment standards now prohibit employers from demanding a sick note for the first two health-related absences lasting up to five consecutive days within a year.
Health Minister Josie Osborne stated that the recent changes, which came into effect on Wednesday, are designed to allow sick individuals to recuperate at home while reducing the unnecessary paperwork for physicians. Dr. Lisa Gaede, a family physician and representative of Doctors of B.C., emphasized that sick notes create significant challenges for healthcare providers and the alteration will enable them to allocate more time to patients in need.
The modifications were informed by feedback from care providers, who highlighted that most minor illnesses in adults, like flu or colds, typically resolve within five days. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside emphasized that individuals with flu symptoms shouldn’t have to visit a doctor solely for a sick note, as it consumes time that could be better spent on actual treatment and care.
The government pointed out that health-related absences now cover situations where an employee or their immediate family member is unwell or injured. The province’s health professionals have advocated for measures to alleviate administrative burdens, such as sick notes, which divert their attention from patient care.
The elimination of mandatory sick notes was a significant pledge during the B.C. NDP’s election campaign last autumn. Bill 11, amending the Employment Standards Act regarding sick notes, was introduced in April, with the commitment to implement the changes before the onset of the fall respiratory illness season.