Major Changes May be Coming to Sick Leave at Workplaces in Brampton and Beyond

Published November 14, 2017 at 3:33 am

Have you ever taken sick leave from work, only to spend an entire day at the doctor’s office to get the required doctor’s note for your employer?

Have you ever taken sick leave from work, only to spend an entire day at the doctor’s office to get the required doctor’s note for your employer?

If you work in Brampton – or anywhere in Ontario for that matter – it can be a hassle to get the required doctor’s note for taking personal emergency leave from work. Now, the province has proposed some big changes to rules at your workplace that may come into effect very soon should they pass.

Here’s what the province has outlined in terms of proposed changes:

  • Expand personal emergency leave to include a minimum of 10 days, including two paid days, per year for all workers.
  • Ban employers from requiring a sick note from an employee taking personal emergency leave.
  • Provide a leave of absence of up to 17 weeks without the fear of losing their job when an employee or their child has experienced or is threatened with domestic or sexual violence.

That’s right, exciting (or not) times may be within reach.

So, if you need to take an emergency leave from work – for whatever reason – you may be allowed to skip the doctor’s note step, which would ultimately make it easier for anyone who needs some time off. That seems to be the biggest highlight from these possible changes. 

These changes might just ignite more trust and less guilt for anyone taking an emergency leave from work. The Wynne government says that it’s trying to protect employees.

This is all part of Ontario’s plan for Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs

“Increasing personal emergency leave days will help workers protect their health, care for family members and help make ends meet,” said minister of labour Kevin Flynn. “The onus shouldn’t be on a sick worker to have to make their way to a doctor’s office to prove to their employer that they aren’t well enough for work.”

Though some employers may be concerned that employees might abuse their right, hopefully, your workplace is trusting enough not to make you feel even worse for taking time off.

Your health comes first, after all.

Any changes will kick in on January 1, 2018, for the new year!

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