Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018
On October 23, 2018, the Ontario government introduced Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, which is now law as of November 21, 2018. What this means for you is that beginning January 1, 2019, employers once again have the right to request a medical note from their employees to substantiate a brief, illness-related absence from work. The intention of this policy is to promote employee accountability while helping small businesses to manage schedules and decrease unexpected costs.
We recognize the added administrative burden this places on family physicians. As well, patients requesting sick notes for minor illnesses increases the risk of individuals infecting others in patient waiting rooms or on public transportation - all when the doctor's order would be to stay home, rest and recover.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has urged the Ontario government not to reinstate sick notes for short-term illnesses - you can view their statement here. We welcome any questions or concerns you may have about the impact of this new legislation on your practice. Please contact us at [email protected].