Manitoba doctors say ditching sick notes for short-term illness could free up 300,000 appointments annually and save taxpayers $8 million.
Sick Note Requirements Hurt Manitoba’s Health Care System
Doctors Manitoba is calling on employers across the province to stop demanding sick notes for short-term illnesses, saying the outdated practice is straining the already overburdened health care system.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba, revealed that more than 600,000 sick notes are written every year in Manitoba, diverting time and resources away from patient care. “Every sick note takes time away from patients who need medical attention,” she said. “That’s concerning because Manitoba currently has the second-worst doctor shortage in Canada.”
Cutting Sick Notes Could Add 300,000 Appointments
Doctors Manitoba estimates that eliminating sick notes for brief illnesses could free up the equivalent of 50 physicians annually—translating into 300,000 additional patient visits.
Sick notes, often medically unnecessary, cost Manitoba taxpayers roughly $8 million per year, according to Desilets. “We are all paying for sick notes—either through our taxes or by waiting longer for care,” she said.
“Sick of Sick Notes” Campaign Launched
As part of its broader initiative to reduce administrative burdens, Doctors Manitoba has launched the “Sick of Sick Notes” campaign. The campaign includes a dedicated website offering employers guidance on handling short-term employee absences without burdening doctors.
One campaign video humorously contrasts the awkwardness of employees explaining their ailments to HR with the absurdity of involving physicians in routine work absences. The message: “We don’t send medical problems to HR, so why send HR issues to doctors?”
Push for Legislative Change in Manitoba
Earlier this year, Doctors Manitoba urged the provincial government to pass legislation limiting sick note requirements for absences under 10 days. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara confirmed in March that the government is reviewing the proposal.
If enacted, Manitoba would align with other provinces that have already updated their employment laws. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have various limits on when employers can ask for a doctor’s note, ranging from three to five days.
Removing Sick Notes Builds Trust and Saves Time
Tory McNally, HR expert and VP at Legacy Bowes, supports the shift away from sick notes. “They don’t offer real insight into a worker’s ability to return, and they rarely prevent abuse,” she said. “Instead, they delay recovery, clog up clinics, and add unnecessary red tape.”
McNally noted that eliminating routine sick notes can foster a more trust-based, accountable workplace culture while supporting employees’ well-being.
Leading Employers Already Adopting New Policy
Several major Manitoba employers, including the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, and Canada Life, have already removed the requirement for sick notes in short-term cases.
This campaign follows the NDP government’s broader commitment to reducing paperwork for doctors, including a pledge to modernize the health system through digitization of medical records, announced shortly after the 2023 election.
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