Have you ever been so sick you couldn’t go to work, but your boss told you that you needed a sick note for the time off? It’s not an uncommon situation, but as an employee, it’s definitely an annoying one.
Well, one Canadian doctor on X has people talking after she called out employers who ask sick employees to provide a doctor’s note.
“Employers who require sick notes for minor illness please read this statement from [the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians]. My department has a “no notes” policy but if I do have to write one, it will be on a printout of this,” Dr. Kay Dingwell posted.
“The public health system is not your HR police.”
The doctor shared that she is seeing a large increase in people with viral illnesses needing notes for their employers, who won’t let them stay home without one.
“Stop sending your mildly ill but very infectious employees to my ED for a note where they infect my frail elderly and newborn patients!”
The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians has advocated for a ban on sick notes, saying they put unnecessary strain on the patient and healthcare resources.
“Sick notes encourage patients with infectious disease such as influenza or gastroenteritis to leave their home and visit their family doctor or the emergency department (ED) purely for a piece of paper – which puts other patients at risk,” reads a statement from the association released in March 2020.
“The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians advocates for a ban on sick-note requirements by employers and schools via federal or provincial legislation and encourages patients with minor illnesses to stay at home and recover if they do not feel they require acute medical assessment,” it continues.
The right of an employer to request a sick note varies by province in Canada. In Ontario, your boss can require you to provide a note from a medical professional like a doctor, nurse practitioner or psychologist when taking time off because of personal illness, injury or medical emergency if it is “reasonable in the circumstances.”
But they can only ask for information including the expected duration of the absence, the date they were seen by a medical professional, and whether they were seen in person. Your employer can’t ask for info about your diagnosis or treatment.
CANADIANS SOUND OFF
In response to her post on X, both medical professionals and residents shared their thoughts on the situation.
“They were always such a nuisance to get, especially for someone who had an absence rate of <2%. At one point, the Sherwood Clinic was charging for doctors notes,” shared one person.
Some physicians shared their thoughts.
“My favourite thing to do is ask an employer if they will reimburse me for the note as most doctors’ offices charge you for them.”
“Completely agree. Not only for minor illnesses. Patient with broken bone or surgery and employer doesn’t believe they need time off? So ridiculous. I ask the patient how much time they need off and if reasonable, give them the note. No reason HR or employer can’t believe them.”
“In pediatrics it was especially onerous – a request for a sick note then a request for a note saying that it was ok to return to school. Doubly bad if the parent had a copay.”
And some doctors say they’ve had enough of the process altogether.
“At this stage in my career, I’m full of malicious compliance and give the employee MORE sick time if they need a note because they need rest and wasted a day coming to see me.”
