Sick Notes

Who should pay for sick notes?  Or, perhaps the larger question is – should employers even ask employees for sick notes if they are away from work for only a few days?

This was the subject of a lot media coverage recently. The topic first received attention after a doctor in Nova Scotia provided a letter stating the employer should pay for patient’s sick note.

Doctors of BC shares the concerns raised by Nova Scotia's doctors. Asking employees for sick notes adds pressure on our already overburdened health system, and actually makes patients get out into an office setting at a time when we are asking them to ‘stay home’ to prevent others getting ill.

Our President, Dr Bill Cavers, told media: “I think employers are burdening the system. Requiring medical notes for absenteeism is putting pressure on the medical system, (and) it’s putting a financial burden on the patients.”

Dr Cavers went on to say that if employers are demanding this of their employees, and of the healthcare system, they should cover the costs associated with such a policy.  He said this is something he will bring to the Doctors of BC Board for further discussion.

Many followers on Twitter said they felt requiring employees to leave the house, adding to wait times at walk-in-clinics and exposing others to their flu or cold, is unnecessary. 

Certainly, it’s a topic that’s resonating with a lot of people, and it definitely could use some further discussion.

For media articles on this topic:

Should your boss have to pay for your sick note? Global News

Doctors NS pushes to change sick note policy Global News

Bosses should pay for employee's sick notes Metro Vancouver