Sick Days in British Columbia: What you need to know in 2025

All employees in B.C. who are covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA) are entitled to a minimum of 5 paid sick days and 3 unpaid sick days per year. These sick days can be used for personal illness, injury, or attending a medical appointment.

In total, employees in British Columbia receive up to 8 sick days per year – 5 of these are paid sick days, and 3 are unpaid.

How many sick days per year in B.C.?

Under British Columbia’s ESA, most provincially regulated employees are entitled to:

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

This means employees in B.C. can take up to 8 sick days each calendar year, depending on their health needs.

Who qualifies for sick days in B.C.?

You must be employed for at least 90 days by your employer to qualify for paid sick leave in B.C.

If you work in a federally regulated industry, like banking or telecommunications, you may be entitled to up to 10 paid sick days instead. Learn more in our guide on paid sick days for federally regulated employees.

Are sick days paid in B.C.?

Yes. Employers in B.C. are required by law to provide 5 paid sick days per year under the ESA. This became law on January 1, 2022.

Here’s what you need to know:

• You’re entitled to your regular wages on your 5 paid sick days.
• These paid sick days reset every calendar year.
• Paid sick leave applies to full-time, part-time, temporary, and casual workers, as long as they’ve worked for 90 days.

Need more time off? You may qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits, which provide temporary income support.

Can employers make you use vacation days for sick leave in B.C.?

No. Under B.C.’s Employment Standards Act, vacation days and sick days are two separate entitlements.

Your employer can’t force you to use vacation days instead of your paid sick days or unpaid sick leave.

EXPLORE MORE
• Vacation Pay in B.C.
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Can you be fired for taking sick days in B.C.?

No. Your can’t be fired for taking sick leave that you’re entitled to under the B.C. Employment Standards Act.

But it’s important to understand:

• If your employer ends your job for unrelated reasons (like restructuring), you are entitled to a severance package – as much as 24 months’ pay.
• If you believe you were fired because you took sick days, you may have a claim for wrongful dismissal or a human rights complaint.

How many times can you call in sick before getting fired in B.C.?

There’s no legal limit to how many times you can call in sick in B.C. However:

• Always provide medical documentation when requested – especially for frequent or long absences.
• Employers can’t fire you for taking sick leave, but excessive, unexplained absences may raise performance issues.

It is very difficult for an employer in B.C. to terminate someone for cause due to sick leave alone. If you’re concerned, contact our team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP for advice on your severance and workplace rights.

Sick Days B.C. Law: Employer rights and responsibilities

Employers in B.C. can request reasonable proof of illness or injury, such as a doctor’s note. However, they must follow these rules:

• Employers can’t ask for your diagnosis or medical history.
• The can only ask for:
  • The length of you your absence
  • Any work restrictions or accommodations
  • Confirmation that you’re receiving medical care

Employers can’t retaliate against employees for using their sick days, and doing so may result in claims for constructive dismissal or human rights violations.

Workplace accommodations for serious illness in B.C.

If your illness qualifies as a disability under the B.C. Human Rights Code, your employer has a duty to accommodate you. This could include:

• Allowing extended unpaid leave
• Modifying your duties or work schedule
• Providing special equipment to help you work

Employers must accommodate to the point of undue hardship, however it is an extremely high threshold. You’ll need to provide medical documentation to support your accommodation request.

What should you do if you’re denied sick leave in B.C.?

If your employer denies you sick leave or penalizes you for using it, follow these steps:

1. Document everything: Keep written records of conversations and decisions.
2. File a complaint: Contact B.C.’s Employment Standards Branch.
3. Talk to an employment lawyer: The team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help you explore claims for wrongful dismissal or human rights violations. You could be owed substantial compensation.

FAQs about sick days in B.C.

Do sick days carry over in B.C.?

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

Do employers have to pay for sick days?

Yes. Employers must pay an average day’s pay for each of the 5 paid sick days.

How is sick pay calculated in B.C.?

Paid sick leave in B.C. is based on your average day’s wages, calculated for a 30-day period before your leave.

Key takeaways about sick days in B.C.

• How many sick days in B.C.? Most employees are entitled to 8 sick days per year: 5 paid and 3 unpaid under the B.C. ESA.
• Paid sick days are mandatory in B.C., and employers must pay you your regular wages for up to 5 days per year.
• Employers can’t force you to use vacation days instead of sick leave.
• You can’t be fired for taking your paid or unpaid sick days in B.C.
• If you have a serious illness or disability, your employer must accommodate you.
• If you’re denied sick leave or punished for using it, you may be owed severance or compensation.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, our experienced B.C. employment lawyers are ready to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. We’ve helped tens of thousands of non-unionized employees in B.C. stand up to unfair treatment.

Contact us today or call 1-855-821-5900 for a consultation. It’s your first step towards fair treatment and compensation.