November 28, 2025
"I had a nasty flu and took three days off work. Now that I’m back, my employer is insisting I provide a doctor’s note as proof of being ill. Can they do that?"
– Olivia, North Vancouver, BC
Just in time for flu season, new rules came into effect this month that affect the answer to Olivia's question.
The new rules limit when an employer can ask an employee for a sick note for a health-related leave. An employer can't request a sick note for the first two health-related absences of up to five consecutive days in the same calendar year. For health-related absences beyond this — like a third illness in a calendar year, or one that lasts more than five days — an employer can ask for reasonably sufficient proof of illness or injury.
Which can mean a sick note from a health professional, depending on the circumstances. We unpack the factors in our updated Q&A featuring Olivia's question: Can my employer insist I provide proof of being ill when I take sick leave? We've also updated our in-depth page on taking sick days.