How Many Paid Sick Days Do BC Workers Get? BC workers get 5 paid sick days per year under the Employment Standards Act (effective January 2022). Employers cannot require a doctor's note for these 5 days. After 5 paid days, you have 3 additional unpaid sick days. Some employers offer more through collective agreements or company policy.
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Need a sick note in BC? MedLetter provides official physician-signed documentation for $49 with same-day delivery. No walk-in clinic visit needed — submit in 2 minutes, receive your note by email. Valid for employers, universities, and insurance across British Columbia.
Need a sick note in BC? MedLetter provides official physician-signed documentation for $49 with same-day delivery. No walk-in clinic visit needed — submit in 2 minutes, receive your note by email. Valid for employers, universities, and insurance across British Columbia.
Need a sick note in BC? MedLetter provides official physician-signed documentation for $49 with same-day delivery. No walk-in clinic visit needed — submit your request in 2 minutes and receive your note by email. Valid for employers, universities, and insurance across British Columbia.
Updated August 2026, Current BC Employment Standards and CPSBC telemedicine guidelines.
BC's 5 Paid Sick Days: Complete Guide
Since January 1, 2022, all employees in British Columbia covered by the Employment Standards Act have been entitled to 5 paid sick days per year. This was a landmark change that made BC one of the most employee-friendly provinces in Canada for sick leave. Understanding your rights under the BC Employment Standards Act is crucial, whether you work in downtown Vancouver, a tech hub in Burnaby, or a retail store in Kelowna.
The legislation was designed to ensure that workers do not have to choose between going to work sick and losing a day's pay. This is especially important in a post-pandemic world where public health is a top priority. The 5 paid sick days are a minimum standard, meaning employers cannot offer less, though they are free to offer more generous sick leave policies.
Who Is Eligible?
The eligibility criteria for BC's paid sick days are straightforward, but there are some important nuances to understand.
Eligible:
- Full-time employees (after 90 days of consecutive employment)
- Part-time employees (after 90 days of consecutive employment)
- Casual employees (after 90 days of consecutive employment)
- Temporary employees (after 90 days of consecutive employment)
Not eligible:
- Employees in their first 90 days of employment
- Independent contractors (not considered employees under the ESA)
- Federally regulated workers (separate rules apply, such as those working for banks or airlines)
- Some professionals excluded from the ESA (certain managers, architects, engineers, etc.)
It's important to note that the 90-day requirement is based on calendar days from your start date, not the number of days actually worked. So, if you started a part-time job on January 1st, you would be eligible for paid sick days starting in early April, regardless of how many shifts you worked during that time.
How Paid Sick Days Work
Understanding the mechanics of how these days are accrued, paid, and managed can help you avoid disputes with your employer.
1. Accrual: All 5 days are available immediately after 90 days of employment. There is no gradual accrual system (e.g., earning half a day per month).
2. Payment: You must be paid at your regular wage rate for the hours you would have worked. If your hours vary, the employer must calculate an average day's pay based on the amount paid in the 30 calendar days before the sick day.
3. Carry-over: Days do NOT carry over to the next year. It is a "use them or lose them" system based on the calendar year.
4. Documentation: Employers generally should not require a note for these days, as the intent is to remove barriers to staying home when sick.
5. Timing: The entitlement is based on the calendar year (January 1 - December 31), not your anniversary date.
Do You Need a Sick Note?
The question of whether an employer can demand a sick note for the 5 paid sick days is a common source of confusion.
For your 5 paid sick days:
- Generally no: The intent of the legislation is that employees can use these without barriers. Demanding a note for a single day off can be seen as contrary to this intent.
- Employer policies vary: Some employers still request notes, and the legality of this for short absences is debatable. The ESA states employers can require "reasonably sufficient proof" of illness.
- Best practice: If your employer insists, a simple note confirming your absence is sufficient. You do not need to disclose your specific medical condition.
- Extended absences: Beyond 5 days, employers can reasonably request documentation to support an extended leave or to facilitate a return-to-work plan.
Urgent Scenarios: When You Need a Note Fast
Life doesn't always happen during regular business hours. There are many urgent scenarios where you might find yourself needing a sick note quickly in BC:
- The Boss Demanding a Note by Tomorrow: You called in sick on a Tuesday, and your manager at a busy Surrey warehouse says, "I need a doctor's note on my desk by 9 AM tomorrow, or you're written up."
- Called in Sick Without One: You woke up with a terrible migraine, texted your supervisor at a Victoria retail store that you couldn't make it, and they replied, "Company policy requires a note for any absence, even one day. Get one."
- Weekend or Evening Illness: It's 8 PM on a Sunday in Nanaimo. You know you can't work your Monday morning shift, but all the local walk-in clinics are closed, and you don't want to spend 6 hours in the ER just for a piece of paper.
- No Family Doctor: Like many British Columbians, you might not have a family doctor. Trying to get a same-day appointment at a walk-in clinic in Vancouver or Richmond can be nearly impossible, especially during flu season.
In these situations, an online service like MedLetter is invaluable. You can get a BC sick note quickly and easily, without leaving your bed.
Comparing Your Options for Getting a Sick Note in BC
When you need a sick note, you have a few options. Here is a comparison to help you decide the best route:
| Option | Cost | Timeline | Convenience | Best For |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Family Doctor | Usually $20-50 (note fee) | Days to Weeks | Low (requires appointment and travel) | Ongoing, complex medical issues |
| Walk-in Clinic | Usually $20-50 (note fee) | Hours (long wait times) | Medium (requires travel and waiting) | Urgent but non-life-threatening issues |
| ER / Urgent Care | $20-50 (note fee) | Many Hours | Very Low (long waits, high exposure to illness) | True medical emergencies |
| MedLetter (Online) | $49 flat rate | Same-day delivery | High (do it from home, 24/7) | Simple sick notes for work or school |
What If Your Employer Refuses to Pay?
Unfortunately, not all employers comply with the ESA. If your employer denies your paid sick days, you have recourse.
If your employer denies your paid sick days:
1. Document everything: Save the request and denial in writing (emails, texts, or written notes).
2. Cite the ESA: Reference Section 49.1 of the Employment Standards Act in your communications with HR or management.
3. File a complaint: Contact the BC Employment Standards Branch to file a formal complaint.
4. Timeline: Complaints must be filed within 6 months of the violation.
5. Remedies: The branch can order the employer to pay the owed wages, plus interest, and may impose fines for non-compliance.
If you feel you are being discriminated against due to a disability or chronic illness, you may also have grounds to file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
Common Employer Violations
Be aware of these common tactics used by employers to avoid providing paid sick days:
- Requiring a sick note for every paid sick day, creating an unreasonable barrier.
- Deducting sick days from your accrued vacation time.
- Requiring you to find a replacement worker before you can take a sick day.
- Paying less than your regular average daily rate for the sick day.
- Retaliating against employees who use sick days (e.g., cutting shifts, demotion).
- Not providing sick days to part-time or casual employees who have passed the 90-day mark.
Major BC employers like BC Hydro, ICBC, Telus, Lululemon, BC Ferries, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Fraser Health generally have robust HR departments that understand these rules, but violations can still happen, especially in smaller businesses or franchises.
Beyond 5 Days: Your Additional Rights
If you're sick for more than 5 days, your protections under the ESA change, but you still have options.
If you're sick for more than 5 days:
- You have 3 additional unpaid sick days per year under the ESA (no note required for short absences).
- Extended illness may qualify for short-term disability (if your employer offers a benefits plan).
- EI Sickness Benefits (federal program) provide up to 26 weeks of financial assistance at 55% of your earnings.
- WorkSafeBC covers work-related illnesses or injuries, providing compensation at 90% of your net earnings.
MedLetter: When You Do Need a Note
If your employer requires documentation, or you've exhausted your 5 paid days and need to justify further unpaid time off, MedLetter is the most efficient solution.
- Get a CPSBC-registered physician note in the same day.
- $49 flat rate, available 24/7.
- No walk-in clinic wait required.
- Fully compliant with CPSBC telemedicine guidelines.
- Accepted by BC employers across all industries.
Don't stress about missing work. New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time..
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sick days do BC employees get?
Under the BC Employment Standards Act, eligible employees are entitled to 5 paid sick days and 3 unpaid sick days per year after 90 days of consecutive employment.
Can my BC employer require a sick note?
Yes, but only for absences of 4 or more consecutive days under the ESA. Employers may have stricter policies in their employment contracts, but demanding a note for a single paid sick day is often seen as contrary to the intent of the legislation.
Are BC sick days paid?
Yes. BC provides 5 paid sick days per year, making it one of the most employee-friendly provinces for sick leave in Canada. You must be paid an average day's pay for these days.
Can my employer fire me for taking sick days in BC?
No. Taking ESA-protected sick leave cannot be grounds for termination. BC employment law protects employees who use their entitled sick days from retaliation or dismissal.
What if I work part-time in Kamloops or Prince George? Am I still eligible?
Yes. The 5 paid sick days apply to all eligible employees covered by the ESA, regardless of whether they work full-time, part-time, casual, or temporary, and regardless of where they live in British Columbia, as long as they have completed 90 days of employment.
Does WorkSafeBC cover my regular sick days?
No. WorkSafeBC only covers illnesses or injuries that are directly related to your work. For general illnesses like the flu or a stomach bug, you would use your 5 paid sick days under the ESA.
Related: Sick Note Vancouver | Sick Note Surrey | Online Sick Note BC