As part of Red Tape Awareness Week, the B.C. College of Family Physicians is calling for an end to all mandated sick notes for short-term illnesses.
While the province has made sick days available for all workers in B.C. — allowing them to stay home without losing pay — some employers require a doctor’s note for those who call in sick.
Dr. Jennifer Lush, a family doctor and vice president of B.C. College of Family Physicians, says many family doctors find sick notes a waste of time.
“We aren’t just about doing prescription refills. We aren’t just about writing sick notes. We are trained professionals with medical expertise. We want to get back to the business of caring for patients, diagnosing illness, treating illness, and these sorts of unnecessary administrative burdens are taking us away from doing that.”
Not medically necessary
Lush says sick notes still seem to be required on a regular …