BC Introduces Legislation Eliminating Sick Notes for Short-Term Illnesses

On April 15, 2025, the BC government introduced the Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2025, which will eliminate sick notes for short-term illnesses.  The changes to the act will clarify employers can’t request, and employees are not required to provide, a sick note written by a physician, nurse practitioner or registered nurse as evidence that the employee’s short-term absence from work was related to illness or injury. Regulations will set-out how many days is considered a short-term absence, and how often an employee may be absent before their employer can request a formal sick note.  The amendment and regulations are expected to take effect before the Fall 2025 onset of respiratory illness season.  RCC will monitor progress on this file.