Alberta Sick Leave: What the Law Actually Says
Alberta sick-leave rules depend on the type of leave. Personal and family responsibility leave, long-term illness and injury leave, and employer-paid sick-day policies have different eligibility and documentation rules. Review the current Government of Alberta guidance and your workplace policy; a medical note does not itself guarantee leave approval or a particular employment outcome.
A doctor’s note, medical certificate, absence note, and fitness-to-work letter are not interchangeable in every workplace process. The required information and submission route can depend on the employer, collective agreement, benefits plan, or school. MedLetter only reviews requests for short-term acute illnesses, generally one to five days, and a licensed physician independently decides whether documentation is appropriate.
Government of Alberta job-protected leaves guidance is the starting point for an Alberta workplace question. Read the applicable leave page and your own policy before making a decision about an absence.
Personal and Family Responsibility Leave
Under the Employment Standards Code, eligible Alberta employees may access personal and family responsibility leave. The official rules, including notice and eligibility, should be checked against the Government of Alberta page and any workplace policy:
- 5 days of unpaid, job-protected personal and family responsibility leave per year.
- This can be used for personal illness, injury, or health matters.
- It also covers family care responsibilities.
- This leave is available after 90 days of employment.
Whether an employer asks for documentation for a particular absence depends on the circumstances and workplace rules. Do not assume that a note is always required or that a note automatically resolves the leave question.
Long-Term Illness and Injury Leave
For a long-term illness or injury leave, the Government of Alberta sets a separate statutory process. This service does not assess chronic conditions, disability-related accommodation, mental-health leave, surgical recovery, or extended absences beyond five days.
- 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for a qualifying long-term illness or injury in 2026.
- Available after 90 days of employment, subject to the statutory conditions.
- A medical certificate is part of the statutory process; consult the official Alberta guidance for what it must address.
What Documentation Can Employers Require?
Alberta workplace documentation questions need to be considered in context. An employer may have a reporting or benefits process, while privacy rules limit unnecessary sharing of personal health details. Ask what information is needed and confirm the relevant policy before sending records.
1. A medical certificate - A note from a physician confirming the need for absence. This is your most important document.
2. Expected duration - How long you anticipate being away.
3. Fitness to return - Confirmation you are able to resume duties.
They cannot require:
- Your specific diagnosis (only that you have a medical condition).
- Access to your full medical records.
- A note from a specialist when a general practitioner's note suffices.
Medical documentation may support a request, but the employer, benefits administrator, or school applies its own process.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.
Paid vs. Unpaid Sick Leave in Alberta
Unlike some provinces, Alberta does not mandate paid sick days. Whether you receive paid sick leave depends entirely on your specific situation:
- Your employment contract.
- Collective agreement (if unionized).
- Company policy.
- Whether you have short-term disability benefits.
Even where statutory leave is unpaid, workplace-paid sick days, short-term disability, and collective-agreement benefits can be separate. Review the specific program rather than treating a medical note as a universal requirement.
What Happens If You Are Fired for Being Sick?
Terminating an employee for taking legitimate sick leave is a serious matter. It may constitute:
- Wrongful dismissal under common law.
- Discrimination under the Alberta Human Rights Act (if related to a disability).
- Violation of employment standards if the leave is job-protected.
However, to claim these protections, you must prove your leave was legitimate. A medical certificate is the undeniable proof you need. Without it, you are vulnerable. Protect yourself and your career by obtaining a valid sick note from a licensed physician.
Recent Changes to Alberta Sick Leave (2026)
As of January 1, 2026, Alberta increased long-term illness and injury leave from 16 weeks to 27 weeks per calendar year. This aligns Alberta more closely with federal EI sickness benefit duration (26 weeks). The change was part of broader amendments to the employment standards code aimed at supporting workers with serious health conditions.
This extension is fantastic news for workers, but it reinforces the need for proper documentation. Employers will be even more diligent in requesting medical certificates for these extended leaves. Be prepared and get your sick note.
How Alberta Compares Nationally
| Province | Unpaid Sick Leave | Paid Sick Days (Legislated) | Long-Term Leave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 5 days | 0 | 27 weeks |
| British Columbia | 5 days | 5 days | 27 weeks |
| Ontario | 3 days | 0 | 27 weeks |
| Saskatchewan | 12 days | 0 | 12 weeks |
| Federal | 5 days | 10 days | 27 weeks |
Alberta does not set a general provincial minimum for paid sick days. Employer plans and collective agreements may be more generous, so workers should check those documents along with the statutory leave information.
MedLetter vs. Walk-in Clinics
When you need a sick note, you have choices. But the traditional route is often painful and time-consuming.
The Walk-in Clinic Experience:
- You drag yourself out of bed while sick.
- You sit in a waiting room full of other sick people for 2 to 4 hours.
- You pay a fee ranging from $20 to $50 just for the note.
- You waste half your day when you should be resting.
The MedLetter Experience:
- You stay in bed and rest.
- You complete a quick online consultation.
- You pay a flat fee of $49.
- You receive your legally valid sick note from a licensed Canadian physician, often within hours.
For a short-term acute illness, an online request may be more convenient than an in-person clinic visit. A physician independently reviews each request, timing varies, and any recipient applies its own documentation process.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.
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Sources
1. Alberta Employment Standards Code, RSA 2000, c E-9, Part 2, Division 7.1 - alberta.ca/employment-standards
2. Government of Alberta - Personal and Family Responsibility Leave - alberta.ca/personal-family-responsibility-leave
3. Government of Alberta - Long-Term Illness and Injury Leave - alberta.ca/long-term-illness-injury-leave
4. Canada Labour Code, Part III - laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
5. Service Canada - EI Sickness Benefits - canada.ca/ei-sickness
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Related: Do I Need a Sick Note in Alberta? | How Many Sick Days in Alberta? | Can My Employer Fire Me for Being Sick? | Alberta 27-Week Sick Leave 2026 | Can Employer Require Sick Note?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note online in Canada?
Licensed physicians can assess patients virtually where clinically appropriate. A note may support an absence, but the employer or other recipient applies its own policy and the note does not guarantee an employment outcome.
How much does an online sick note cost?
MedLetter charges a $49 flat fee for short-term illness documentation requests. A physician independently reviews each request; timing varies and documentation is issued only when clinically appropriate.
Will my employer accept an online sick note?
A note from a licensed physician may be used in a workplace process, but employers and other recipients apply their own policy and documentation requirements. Confirm the relevant process directly with the recipient.
How long does it take to get a sick note from MedLetter?
Review timing depends on the request and any clinical follow-up required. MedLetter does not promise a fixed delivery time.
Why is a sick note so important in Alberta?
A note can document a clinician's assessment for a short-term illness. It is one part of a workplace process and does not decide job protection, discipline, benefits, or a legal claim.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.