Sick Notes for BC Restaurant & Food Service Workers
The restaurant and hospitality industry has some of the highest rates of presenteeism (working while sick) in BC. Workers face pressure to show up, fear of losing shifts, and often lack benefits. Here's what you need to know about your rights.
Your Legal Rights
As a BC restaurant worker, you are entitled to:
- 5 paid sick days per year (after 90 days of employment)
- 3 unpaid sick days per year
- No retaliation for using your sick days
- No requirement to find a replacement before calling in sick
Food Safety Requirements
Under BC's Food Safety Regulations, food handlers MUST stay home if they have:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
- Fever with sore throat
- Infected wounds on hands/arms
- Diagnosed with Hepatitis A, Salmonella, E. coli, or Norovirus
Your employer CANNOT pressure you to work with these symptoms. This is a public health issue, not just a personal health issue.
Common Employer Violations in Restaurants
- Requiring you to find your own replacement before calling in sick
- Threatening to reduce future shifts if you call in sick
- Requiring a sick note for a single day absence
- Not paying your 5 paid sick days
- Pressuring you to work with gastrointestinal symptoms
- Scheduling you for shifts while you're on sick leave
When Do You Need a Sick Note?
You DON'T need a note for:
- Using your 5 paid sick days
- Short absences (1-2 days)
- Food safety-related absences (vomiting, diarrhea)
You MAY need a note for:
- Absences longer than 3-5 days
- Return-to-work after gastrointestinal illness (some employers require clearance)
- Pattern absences that your employer flags
- Short-term disability claims
The Shift Worker Challenge
Restaurant workers face unique barriers to getting sick notes:
- No time off during clinic hours: Working evenings means clinics are closed when you're free
- Can't afford to wait: Losing a shift to sit in a walk-in clinic costs more than the note
- No benefits: Many restaurant workers lack extended health coverage
- Precarious employment: Fear of losing shifts or being "punished" for calling in sick
MedLetter: Built for Shift Workers
MedLetter solves these problems:
- 24/7 availability: Get a note at 11 PM after your shift, or at 6 AM before your morning shift
- No lost wages: 5-minute form, note delivered to your inbox
- $49 flat rate: Less than what you'd lose sitting in a walk-in clinic
- Priority option: 30-minute delivery when you need it fast
- CPSBC-registered: Accepted by all BC restaurants and hospitality employers
Know Your Rights
If your employer violates your sick leave rights:
1. Document everything (texts, schedules, conversations)
2. Contact the Employment Standards Branch
3. File a complaint (free, within 6 months)
4. Consider contacting the Workers' Solidarity Network or UNITE HERE (hospitality union)
Related: [Sick Note Vancouver](/online-sick-note-vancouver) | [Sick Note Surrey](/online-sick-note-surrey) | [Online Sick Note BC](/online-sick-note-bc)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note online in British Columbia?
Yes. CPSBC-licensed physicians can assess patients through virtual consultations and issue legally valid sick notes accepted by all BC employers.
How much does an online sick note cost in BC?
MedLetter charges a flat $49 for a sick note with same-day delivery. This is often faster and more affordable than visiting a walk-in clinic.
Will my BC employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC recognizes virtual care. Online sick notes are legally equivalent to in-person notes.
How many paid sick days do I get in BC?
BC employees are entitled to 5 paid sick days per year after 90 days of employment, plus 3 additional unpaid sick days.