Employment Standards Act limits the need for family physicians to write sick notes

After ongoing advocacy, collaboration, and persistence, the change our members have long been calling for is now law.

The limitation on employers requiring sick notes has been officially added to BC’s Employment Standards Act - a meaningful policy change that will help reduce unnecessary administrative burden for family doctors and allow them to focus on what matters most: patient care.

This may seem like a small change, but it represents a positive step forward - one that recognizes the value of family physicians’ time and expertise.

We’re proud to have engaged with both the Ministries of Labour and Health on this amendment, and to have jointly advocated alongside BC Family Doctors through our sick note template campaign.

Quoted in the Government of BC media release, BCCFP President Dr. Katherine Bell said:

“Every day, family doctors spend hours on unnecessary administrative tasks. What’s really exciting is how the provincial government is listening to our community-based family physicians and putting the solutions we know will make a difference into action. This is an important step toward improving access to care and making our health-care system work better for everyone.”

Catch up on the news coverage about this here:

• B.C. family doctors applaud new limits on sick notes | The Early Edition | On Demand | CBC Listen
• Sher E Punjab Interview with Dr. Serena Verma