B.C. moves to ban sick notes for short-term absences

British Columbia is making it official: employees won’t need a sick note for short-term illnesses anymore.

The province is changing the Employment Standards Act to stop employers from requiring routine sick notes from workers taking brief absences due to illness or injury. The move, part of Bill 11, was introduced by Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside to reduce unnecessary paperwork for both employees and health-care providers.

What’s Changing?

Under the current law, employers in B.C. can request “reasonably sufficient proof” of illness. The new amendments clarify that sick notes from doctors, nurse practitioners, or registered nurses can’t be required for short-term absences.

This change is designed to:

• Free up thousands of hours of doctor time (over 180,000 hours expected)
• Reduce wait times for patients who need care
• Cut down unnecessary appointments made solely to get a sick note
• Minimize illness spread by keeping sick people at home.

The government estimates that B.C. doctors wrote 1.6 million sick notes in 2024 – many for common illnesses like colds and flus.

When Will the New Rules Take Effect?

The updated rules are expected to be in place before the 2025 respiratory illness season.

Regulations will clarify:

• What counts as a “short-term absence”
• How often a worker can be absent before a note may be requested
• Whether notes from other health professionals will be acceptable in specific cases

This rollout is part of a larger effort to digitize and streamline health system processes, such as referral systems and form management.

Support From Health Care Professionals

The change has been widely welcomed by doctors and nurse practitioners who have long criticized the time spent on administrative tasks instead of patient care.

What Employees in B.C. Should Know

If you’re a non-unionized employee in B.C., this change means you’ll no longer need to leave your home just to justify a couple of sick days – a major relief when you’re already feeling unwell.

However, for longer or repeated absences, your employer may still be able to ask for a doctor’s note once new regulations are released.

Need a Refresher on Paid Sick Days?

This new legislation works alongside existing laws that give most B.C. employees at least five paid sick days per year. You may also have additional paid or unpaid days outlined in your employment contract.

Bottom Line

This is a win for workers and doctors. You’ll be able to rest, recover, and avoid unnecessary clinic visits – while freeing up medical professionals to provide care where it’s truly needed.

Workplace issue? Contact us

Since 2007, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Our employment lawyers in B.C. can review your situation, enforce your rights, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Call 1-855-821-5900 to speak with an employment lawyer, or fill out our confidential online form.