The sick notes ban previously announced by the BC Government in April 2025 has now come into effect.
Effective November 12, 2025, an employer may no longer ask for a written note from a doctor, nurse or other designated health professional when an employee takes leave from work due to their health, illness or injury, or because of the health, illness or injury of a member of their immediate family. For such health-related leaves, a sick note cannot be requested where both of the following conditions are met:
- The leave is for 5 days or fewer; and
- The leave is the first or second health-related leave in the calendar year.
While employers are not barred from asking for a sick note on an employee’s third or subsequent absences in a calendar year, employers are only permitted to request reasonably sufficient proof of illness or injury. Such reasonably sufficient proof for a short health-related leave may be a pharmacy receipt or an employee’s confirmation that they are sick. Requesting a doctor’s sick note for illnesses that are relatively common (for example, a short duration cold, flu or debilitating menstrual cramps) may not be considered reasonable.
For more information on the sick notes ban and the requirements for employers related to sick notes, please visit the following BC Employment Standards Branch resources:
- Illness or Injury Leave and Reasonably Sufficient Proof
- Sick Note Not Required
- Specified Circumstances in Which Sick Note Cannot Be Requested
We highly recommend that employers review their sick leave policies to ensure compliance with these new requirements.
Posted by Clear HR Consulting on November 17, 2025
