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ARTICLE · 20 NOVEMBER 2025

British Columbia Employers: New Sick Note Rules Now In Effect

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart
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On November 12, 2025, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia announced the amendment of the province's Employment Standards Act Regulation to immediately bar employers from asking for a sick note...

CanadaEmployment and HR
Shir Fulga
Shir Fulga
Leroy Edozien
Leroy Edozien
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On November 12, 2025, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia announced the amendment of the province's Employment Standards Act Regulation to immediately bar employers from asking for a sick note for a worker's first two health-related, short-term absences of five consecutive days or fewer in a calendar year.

Quick Hits

  • Effective November 12, 2025, British Columbia's Employment Standards Act Regulation bars employers from asking for a sick note for a worker's first two health-related, short-term absences of five consecutive days or fewer in a calendar year.
  • Employers can still request reasonably sufficient proof of the employee's need for leave, such as a receipt from a pharmacy or an attestation from the employee, even though the requirement for a sick note is now more restricted.

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