Doctors Manitoba welcomes the implementation of Manitoba’s new sick note legislation, which takes effect on October 1, 2026. The physician group is also reminding employers and workers about the new rules, with free resources to easily make necessary changes to workplace policies. 

“Manitoba’s new sick note legislation is the result of years of collaboration and consensus-building among physicians, employers, unions, human resource professionals, and government,” said Dr. Alon Altman, President of Doctors Manitoba. ​“By working together, Manitoba found a better approach that is good for patients, good for employers, and good for doctors.” 

The new sick note limits, enshrined in Manitoba’s Employment Standards, are the strongest and clearest in Canada, only allowing employers to request sick notes:

• After a week of absence, or
• After 10 cumulative workday absences over a calendar year.

“Manitoba has moved from worst to first when it comes to limiting sick notes,” noted Dr. Nichelle Desilets, Chair of the Doctors Manitoba Board of Directors and Past President. ​“Every sick note request takes time out of a physician’s day, so eliminating most sick notes frees up doctors’ time to see more patients.”

While sick notes can be requested for absences that extend beyond the legislated limits, the best practice now recommended for employers is to completely eliminate sick notes for simply verifying absences due to illness or injury.

“When someone is sick, they should be able to focus on getting better, and doctors should be able to focus their time on providing care,” said Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. ​“Eliminating routine sick notes gives physicians valuable time back in their day, frees up capacity in clinics and helps more Manitobans get the care they need. It is a simple, practical change that lets doctors spend more of their time doing what they are trained to do, care for patients.”

“The health and safety of our workers is always something we are working to strengthen, and this legislation is another way we are accomplishing that,” said Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino. ​“The elimination of sick notes means Manitobans can focus on staying home and getting well, and doctors can spend their valuable time supporting the health of Manitobans.” 

The sick note limits in Manitoba were adopted by the provincial government after being jointly recommended by labour and employer groups.

“When workers are home sick with a minor illness, they should focus on feeling better, not on dragging themselves to the doctor’s office to get a sick note while possibly infecting others with their illness,” said Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. ​“These new limits on when employers can ask for sick notes are good news for working people and good news for our health care system, because doctors will no longer have to waste so much time on writing pointless notes.”

“For several years, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has worked alongside Doctors Manitoba to identify practical ways to reduce administrative burden on physicians and strengthen access to care, particularly in rural and northern Manitoba,” said Elisabeth Saftiuk, Acting President and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. ​“Eliminating routine sick notes was one of those opportunities. Asking physicians to spend valuable time verifying short-term illnesses is not the best use of limited health care resources. These changes strike a better balance for employers and employees while allowing physicians to focus more of their time where it matters most: caring for patients.”

Free Support Available for Employers

To help employers prepare for the transition away from sick notes, Doctors Manitoba developed a free HR toolkit in partnership with CPHR Manitoba. The practical resource provides guidance, templates, and best practices for managing absenteeism without relying on physician notes and has already been widely adopted by Manitoba employers. A free webinar is also planned on October 14 for HR professionals and employer representatives. 

“CPHR Manitoba is thrilled to see this new legislation come to fruition,” said CPHR Manitoba CEO Ron Gauthier. ​“Eliminating sick notes for short-term minor illnesses will ease pressure on health care, build trust in workspaces, and improve absence management. Between the sick notes toolkit and dedicated member learning opportunities, HR professionals will be equipped with the knowledge to lead this transition.”

The toolkit has been downloaded 6,000 times since it was first published last winter. Three previous webinars on managing absenteeism without sick notes reached more than 700 HR professionals and business owners.

“Doctors Manitoba has developed these resources for employers because the experience in other provinces has demonstrated that simply changing the rules doesn’t stop unnecessary sick notes from being requested,” added Dr. Altman. 

To access the free employer toolkit or register for the free webinar, visit Doc​torsNotes​.ca.