Ontario Plans to Ditch Sick Note Requirement

Attention retailers who have operations in Ontario: Ontario aims to amend the Employment Standards Act, eliminating the need for sick notes from doctors for the provincially mandated three annual sick leave days. This change seeks to reduce administrative burdens for family physicians. Although the proposed legislation to be introduced by the Minister of Labour is weeks away, its implications for employer-granted sick leave remain uncertain. This mirrors COVID-19 policies, where sick notes weren’t required for affected individuals or caregivers. RCC will update members as Ontario progresses. Contact Sebastian Prins, Director of Government Relations (Ontario) at sprins@retailcouncil.org for more information.