Effective immediately, new rules limit when employers can ask for sick notes and will allow more time for health-care providers to spend with patients.

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.

“When you’re sick with the flu, or your child comes down with a cold, the last thing you should have to do is go to your doctor or a medical clinic to get a piece of paper saying you’re sick,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour. “Unnecessary medical appointments take time away from patients who need to see their doctors and nurses, don’t help people get better any faster and risk further spread of illness.”

These changes are based on input from health-care providers, who pointed to scientific evidence that shows most minor illnesses for adults, such as a cold and influenza, have symptoms that typically resolve within five days.

“No one should have to choose between their health and their job,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “These new rules ensure that when people are unwell, they can stay home to recover and help prevent the spread of illness without the added stress of getting a sick note. This change also reduces unnecessary administrative burdens for doctors and allows them to focus on what matters most: providing care to patients.”

These changes help ensure the province’s health-care professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and midwives, can focus on patient care, not paperwork. Removing the need for unnecessary sick notes also alleviates the burden from workers of the extra time and out-of-pocket costs associated with getting a note, including transportation and child care.

The new regulations set a minimum standard and apply to all employees covered by the Employment Standards Act. This is just one of the steps being taken to reduce the administrative burden in health care and make the system work better for everyone.

Quotes:

Dr. Katherine Bell, president, B.C. College of Family Physicians –

“Every day, family doctors spend hours on unnecessary administrative tasks. What’s really exciting is how the provincial government is listening to our community-based family physicians and putting the solutions we know will make a difference into action. This is an important step toward improving access to care and making our health-care system work better for everyone.”

Dr. Lisa Gaede, family physician, Doctors of BC representative on the Administration Burdens Working Group –

“Sick notes for short-term illness put an enormous burden on physicians and other primary care providers. Setting limits on employers who require these notes means that someone with a cold can stay home from work and rest, and I can be more available for patients who need my help.”

Learn More:

To learn more about the legislative changes, see the April 15, 2025, news release:  
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025LBR0016-000336

To view the Employment Standards Branch website and related updates, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/time-off/leaves-of-absence#illness-or-injury

For more information about B.C. legislation, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/Legislation

A backgrounder follows.