VICTORIA – The British Columbia government has brought in new rules that limit when an employer can ask for a sick note, saving doctors the burden of writing them and preventing patients from spreading their illness even further.

A government statement says that under new employment standards regulations, an employer can’t ask for a note for the first two health-related absences of up to five consecutive days in the same year.

Health Minister Josie Osborne says the new rules that started Wednesday will ensure that those who are sick can stay home to recover, while reducing the unnecessary administrative burden on physicians.

Dr. Lisa Gaede, a family physician and Doctors of BC representative, says sick notes put an “enormous burden on physicians and other primary care providers,” and th

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