One over-diligent employer has been reprimanded by a doctor who says making employees get sick-notes for a simple cold is both a waste of time and money.
“Please reconsider your policy on this,” begs the frustrated MD, “there are surely better ways of wasting your tax dollars.”
The note, which has been viewed 4.4 million times, was posted to social media site Reddit on Tuesday. Eaglel66, the user who originally shared the image, said the note had been written for a friend who works in Alberta.
The note says the patient "sensibly stayed home from work," rather than spread his cold to his colleagues and customers.
"I have no test for the common cold and therefore believe him, however, you feel his time and mine should be wasted by making him sit in the walk-in clinic for hours and me spending time writing a sick note that I could be spending on people who genuinely need my attention," the note reads.
This isn't the first time a Canadian doctor has criticized employers who require sick notes for short-term illnesses.
Last year, Nova Scotia physician Ethel Cooper-Rosen began including a $30 invoice to employers along with sick notes.
Both the Ontario Medical Association and Doctors Nova Scotia backed Cooper-Rosens initiative and urged employers to stop asking employees for sick notes.
The head of the OMA, Dr. Scott Wooder, said the policy could have a "discouraging effect" on workers who are ill and should stay at home.
