The B.C. government is making changes to the Employment Standards Act that will eliminate the need for workers to provide sick notes for short-term absences.
Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside introduced Bill 11, which aims to reduce the administrative burden on health-care providers by clarifying when it’s appropriate for employers to request medical documentation. Currently, employers can ask for “reasonably sufficient proof” that a worker is ill. The amendment makes clear that a sick note from a physician, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse cannot be required for short-term illness or injury.
Health Minister Josie Osborne says the move responds to concerns from doctors across the province who say unnecessary paperwork takes time away from patient care. The regulation is expected to take effect before the 2025 fall respiratory illness season.
Exact rules—such as how many days count as short-term and how often employers can request documentation—will be determined following consultation with stakeholders.
The change is part of a broader effort to reduce red tape in the health-care system. Other reforms include transitioning away from fax and paper systems, simplifying referral processes, and improving scheduling for medical imaging. These updates are projected to save over 180,000 physician hours per year.
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