Germany has banned workers from taking sick leave, even just one day, without a doctor’s note.
Germany’s new law requires workers to give their employers a doctor’s note on the very first day of their illness. The move goes against the grain of work culture and rules here in Canada.
“I do not think that is fair,” said Brett Calanchie, a Saskatoon resident who has never had to obtain a sick note.
“I would not want to do that because it would be hard to make it to the doctor’s office if you are so sick that you cannot work.”
Canadian rules around sick notes vary from province to province.
Manitoba recently passed a bill that prevents employers from asking for sick notes unless employees are absent for more than a week.
Most provinces have restrictions on what employers can ask for during periods of short-term illness.
In provinces like Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, employees cannot be required to obtain a doctor’s note unless their absence surpasses five consecutive days.
Alberta does not have any restrictions in place.
The Canadian Medical Association has been advocating for years to eliminate doctor’s notes for short-term illnesses.
Sick notes take about 10 minutes to complete, according to CMA past-president Dr. Margot Burnell.
On average, a Canadian doctor can receive more than 130 requests every year, she added.
“That adds up to a lot of hours for physicians across this country that could be better spent looking after individuals and...
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