The proposal poses a'public health risk'
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is criticising the Ontario government’s plan for Bill 47 to bring back the doctor’s note requirement for workers who call in sick.
In a statement, the CMA said the initiative poses a “public health risk” and contradicts doctors’ recommendation for a sick employee to stay home and get plenty of rest, especially if the employee has the common cold or flu.
“This legislation would allow employers to force patients to get a sick note from a doctor, a walk-in clinic, or the emergency room at their own expense,” CMA President Dr. Gigi Osler said.
“In addition, requiring sick notes can introduce unnecessary public health risks; patients who would have otherwise stayed home may spread viruses or infection while out to get a sick note.”
Osler pointed out the requirement would also add to the administrative workload of doctors.
Workers are provided up to 10 personal emergency leave days every year, with two of the days paid, according to Ontario’s current employment law. Employers are also prohibited from asking staff for doctor’s notes.
However, a new bill known as the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, aims to roll back many of the labour reforms established by the previous Liberal government, including the removal of the medical note requirement, to boost competitiveness in the province.
Seventy percent of Ontarians oppose the rollback, according to an Ipsos poll commissioned by the CMA. Eight in 10 respondents said the measure would make it more likely for them to report to work even if they were sick just to avoid having to go to the doctor to get a medical note.
