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ARTICLE · 16 MAY 2024

Ontario Announces The End Of Sick Notes

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On April 24, 2024, Ontario's Health Minister announced that employers would no longer be permitted to request that a sick employee provide a doctor's note to justify their absence.

CanadaEmployment and HR
Rachel Corwin
Rachel Corwin
Drew McArthur
Drew McArthur
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On April 24, 2024, Ontario's Health Minister announced that employers would no longer be permitted to request that a sick employee provide a doctor's note to justify their absence. This change is part of new legislation proposed by the Minister of Labour, and is part of a larger initiative to reduce paperwork for physicians.

Under the current provisions in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 ("ESA"), employees who have been employed for at least two consecutive weeks are entitled to a minimum of three days per year of sick leave. The ESA currently allows employers to require employees to provide "evidence reasonable in the circumstances" that the employee is sick. Historically, this has included the option of a doctor's note.

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