On April 15, 2025, the British Columbia government introduced Bill 11, amending the Employment Standards Act [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 113 to prohibit employers from requiring medical notes for short-term absences due to illness or injury. This legislative change aims to lessen the administrative burden on already an overworked healthcare system and streamline the process for employees taking sick leave.
What Changes Under Bill 11?
The previous status quo under the Employment Standards Act [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 113 allowed employers to request “reasonably sufficient proof” of illness or injury, which often was provided by way of a doctor’s note. With the new amendments, employers are explicitly prohibited from requiring medical documentation for an employee’s short-term absence. As with everything in the law, the devil is in the details and the specific definition of “short-term” will be established through forthcoming regulations, developed in consultation with various stakeholders, with the intent of … Continue reading