How many paid sick days am I entitled to in Canada?
It depends on your jurisdiction. Ontario provides 3 unpaid sick days and no general paid sick days. British Columbia provides 5 paid plus 3 unpaid days. Federally regulated employees earn up to 10 paid days (3 after 30 days, then 1 per month). Quebec pays the first 2 days of an absence after 3 months of service.
Are sick days paid in Ontario?
Not under the Employment Standards Act. Ontario provides 3 unpaid, job-protected sick days per year after two weeks of employment. The temporary paid COVID-19 sick days program ended. Some employers voluntarily offer paid sick time through their own policies or benefit plans.
Can my employer ask for a doctor's note?
Rules vary. Ontario limits an employer's ability to require a medical note for the 3 statutory sick days. Federally regulated employers can request a note only after 5 consecutive days of paid medical leave. Employer policies may still request reasonable evidence for longer absences.
What if I need more time off for a serious illness?
Longer illnesses are usually covered by job-protected medical/sick leave (up to 27 weeks federally, 26 weeks in Quebec) and potentially EI sickness benefits (up to 26 weeks). Human rights law also requires accommodation of disability up to the point of undue hardship.