BC Sick Days: What You Need to Know in 2025

Wondering how many sick days you get in B.C. or what the new rules are in 2025? This guide explains your rights under the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including paid and unpaid leave, the upcoming sick note ban, and what to do if your employer pushes back.

Table of Contents

How Many Sick Days Do You Get in B.C.?

In British Columbia, employees covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA) are entitled to:

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

That means most employees in B.C. 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 Sick Leave?

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

Sick day entitlements apply to:

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

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Are Sick Days Paid in B.C.?

Yes. Under the ESA:

• You must be paid your regular wages for up to 5 sick days per year.
• These paid sick days reset every calendar year.
• Sick pay is based on your average daily earnings over the previous 30 days.

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Can Sick Days Be Carried Over?

No. Unused sick days (paid or unpaid) do not carry over into the next calendar year.

They also aren’t paid out when employment ends.

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Can You Be Fired for Taking Sick Days in B.C.?

No. You can’t be fired 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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What If You’re Asked for a Sick Note?

In 2025, the B.C. government introduced Bill 11, which aims to ban employers from asking for sick notes for short-term absences.

This amendment to the ESA is expected to take effect in fall 2025, and is designed to:

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

Employers will still be allowed to 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 Obligations in B.C.

Employers must:

• 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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What to Do If You’re Denied Sick Leave

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 – Contact B.C.’s Employment Standards Branch
3. Talk to an employment lawyer – You could be owed severance or additional compensation

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FAQs About Sick Days in B.C.

Do I need a doctor’s note for one sick day?

Not anymore – once the new law takes effect, employers can’t require 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 reset every calendar year (January 1).

Can unused sick days be paid out?

No. They are 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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Talk to a B.C. Employment Lawyer

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 B.C. employment lawyers can help you understand your rights and secure what you’re legally owed.

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