BC Sick Days: What Employees Need to Know in 2026

Wondering how many sick days you get in British Columbia (BC)?

This 2026 guide explains your rights under the province’s Employment Standards Act (ESA), including paid and unpaid leave, as well as what to do if your employer pushes back.

Table of Contents

Sick Day Entitlements in BC

Employees in the province covered by the ESA are entitled to:

• 5 paid sick days per year
• 3 unpaid sick days per year

That means most workers receive up to 8 job-protected sick days per calendar year, which can be used for personal illness, injury, or attending medical appointments.

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Who Qualifies for BC Sick Leave?

To qualify for paid sick leave under the ESA, employees must’ve worked for their employer for at least 90 days.

Sick day entitlements in BC apply to:

• Full-time employees
• Part-time workers
• Temporary and casual staff

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Are Sick Days Paid in BC?

Yes! Under the ESA:

• Workers must be paid their regular wages for up to 5 sick days per year.
• Paid sick days reset every calendar year.
• Sick pay is based on an individual’s average daily earnings over the previous 30 days.

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Can You Carry Over BC Sick Days?

No. Unused sick days provided under the ESA (paid or unpaid) don’t carry over into the next calendar year.

Additionally, these days aren’t paid out when your employment ends.

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Fired for Using BC Sick Days?

No. You can’t be fired in BC for taking sick leave that you’re entitled to under the ESA.

However:

• If your employer ends your job for other reasons (e.g. restructuring), you may still be owed a full severance package — as much as 24 months’ pay.
• If you’re fired because you took sick leave, that could be wrongful dismissal or a human rights violation.

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Employer Asked for a Sick Note?

In 2025, the BC government introduced Bill 11 — legislation focused on banning employers from asking for sick notes for short-term absences.

This amendment aims to:

• Reduce the strain on doctors and nurse practitioners
• Cut unnecessary clinic visits
• Allow sick workers to rest at home instead of seeking proof

However, employers can still request documentation for longer or repeated absences, but not for routine sick days once the new rules are in place.

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Employer Sick Leave Obligations in BC

The ESA requires employers in the province to:

• Provide up to 5 paid and 3 unpaid sick days to eligible employees
• Pay regular wages for paid sick days
• Not request sick notes for short-term illnesses
• Respect ESA rules, including not requiring employees to use vacation time instead of sick leave

Employers can’t retaliate against workers who use their sick days.

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Denied Sick Leave in BC? Next Steps

If your employer refuses your sick leave or penalizes you for using it:

1. Document everything: Keep records of communications and responses
2. File a complaint: Reach out to BC’s Employment Standards Branch
3. Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP: You could be owed severance or additional compensation

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FAQs About BC Sick Days

Is a Doctor’s Note Necessary for 1 Sick Day?

Bill 11 prevents employers from requiring sick notes for short-term absences.

Can I Take Sick Leave in Half days?

The ESA counts any part of a day as one full sick day. Employers can offer more flexible policies, but they can’t offer less.

What if I’m Sick Multiple Times in a Year?

You can use your sick days as needed. For repeated absences, your employer may request medical documentation.

Do Sick Days Reset?

Yes. Sick days in BC reset every calendar year (Jan. 1).

Can Unused Sick Days be Paid Out?

No. They’re not carried over or paid out when your job ends.

Can I be Asked to Use Unpaid Sick Leave First?

No. It’s your choice which type of leave you use — not your employer’s.

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Workplace Issue? Get Help Now

If your employer is pressuring you to skip your sick days, asking for sick notes when they’re not allowed, or penalizing you unfairly — you don’t have to face it alone.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve helped over 50,000 non-unionized employees in Canada stand up to unfair treatment. Our team of Vancouver employment lawyers can help you understand your rights across BC and secure what you’re legally owed.

📞 Call 1-855-821-5900 or fill out our confidential online form.

We also assist with short-term and long-term disability claims in BC, along with personal injury matters, critical illness, mortgage insurance, and life insurance claims.