Manitoba moves to curb sick notes as doctors offer employers a new playbook

As Manitoba moves to ban most sick notes, Doctors Manitoba has provided a free toolkit to help employers and human resource professionals to manage absences. The toolkit advocates that employers rely on self-attestations, paid leave days and other measures in lieu of sick notes. Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba, said at a press conference at the provincial legislative building on Dec. 12 that there are 600,000 sick notes requested annually in Manitoba. “I wrote two today before driving here,” she said.But the truth is sick notes are an ineffective HR practice, Dr. Desilets said.The government of Manitoba said it will introduce legislation this spring to prohibit the use of sick notes for most minor illnesses.Read: Sick of sick notes: B.C. limits when employers can request sick notesDr. Desilets said this is a significant change for many employers but “our research shows that they aren’t an effective practice. Most of the time patients are no longer sick or no longer have symptoms for the doctor to assess. So a sick note isn’t doing anything to offer verification or accountability.”The toolkit said: “Employees can easily provide a signed attestation explaining their illness or injury, avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining a sick note. This method offers employers equal or greater benefits compared to sick notes, as it creates a record that can be referenced if the validity of the leave is later questioned.” The toolkit outlines other options for employers. The upcoming legislation means employers will no longer be allowed to ask for sick notes for absences of up to seven days in a row or for the first nine cumulative work days in a year.However, the right to request medical documentation remains in effect for:Absences that exceed these timeframes.Complex situations requiring specific medical insight, such as disability claims, workplace accommodations, safe work planning, or long-term leaves like parental leave.Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara said: “All Manitobans know the frustration of booking a doctor’s appointment not because they need to care but because they the their workplace to get that doctor’s note. We know that this doesn’t actually help patients, it doesn’t help doctors and it slows down access for people who really need it.”Doctors Manitoba partnered with Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) Manitoba to launch this comprehensive resource for employers. Developed alongside HR experts, the toolkit is designed for organizations of all sizes and is available now at DoctorsNotes.ca.To further support employers before the legislation takes effect in Spring 2026, Doctors Manitoba will host webinars over the next few months in collaboration with CPHR Manitoba, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The new regulations are expected to be the strongest in Canada, shaped by consensus recommendations from labour and employer representatives.Funding for the Manitoba sick note project was made possible by the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc., and Scotiabank as part of the Health Care Unburdened Grant program.

Manitoba moves to curb sick notes as doctors offer employers a new playbook

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