In April 2025, the B.C. Ministry of Labour proposed Bill 11, Employment Standards Amendment Act (“Bill 11”) to relieve the administrative burden on health practitioners by removing the need for employees to get a sick note for short-term absences. Bill 11 received royal assent (in other words received Parliament’s formal approval) on May 29, 2025 as seen here.

Bill 11 will restrict employers from requesting employees to provide a sick note (or a similar document) issued by health practitioners (such as a physician, nurse practitioner or registered nurse) in order to be approved for health-related leave taken on a short-term absence.  The Employment Standards Act (the “Act”) currently allows employers to require employees to provide “reasonably sufficient proof” (such as a sick note) when eligible employees want to use their personal illness or injury leave entitlements (in other words, paid or unpaid sick leave) under the Act.

As the BC government news update explains here, regulations of this proposed amendment has not yet been finalized; however, regulations will provide further details on what is a “short-term absence”, clarity on associated issues and is anticipated to be implemented in fall 2025, prior to the respiratory illness season.

If you have questions about Bill 11 or on employment compliance issues or workplace law, please contact Tiffany Lee at [email protected]