British Columbia Restricts Employer Requests For Sick Notes

Effective November 12, 2025, British Columbia employers face new limitations under the Employment Standards Act (the "ESA") regarding their ability to request medical documentation for short-term health-related absences. These changes reflect a growing trend under provincial employment standards legislation to limit an employer's ability to request medical documentation for brief periods of absence.

Scope of the New Restrictions

Under the new provisions of the ESA and associated regulations, employers cannot request a medical note, document, or other record from a health practitioner in relation to a health-related leave if:

• The leave is for five consecutive days or less, and