Ontario Sick Note Laws: What Changed in 2024
Ontario's Working for Workers Act fundamentally changed sick note requirements in the province. Under the updated Employment Standards Act (ESA), employers are now prohibited from requiring a medical note for employees using their 3 paid sick days.
The Current Legal Framework
Under Ontario's ESA, employees are entitled to:
- 3 paid sick days per year (no medical note can be required)
- Additional unpaid sick days depending on employer policy
- Job-protected leave for serious illness (up to 3 days without a note)
When Your Employer CAN Request a Sick Note
Despite the new protections, employers can still request medical documentation in certain situations:
1. Absences beyond 3 days — For extended absences, employers may request verification
2. Pattern absences — Frequent absences on specific days may trigger a request
3. Return-to-work clearance — After significant illness or injury
4. Workplace accommodation requests — When requesting modified duties under the Ontario Human Rights Code
5. Short-term disability claims — Insurance providers typically require documentation
When You Do NOT Need a Sick Note
- Using your 3 ESA-protected sick days
- Absences of 1-2 days where no workplace policy requires it
- Personal emergency leave (first 2 days)
- Bereavement leave
How to Get a Sick Note in Ontario
If you do need a sick note, you have several options:
1. Online physician service — Get a note from a CPSO-registered physician in same day without leaving home
2. Walk-in clinic — Wait times of 2-4 hours, often $20-50 fee
3. Family doctor — May take days to get an appointment
4. Telehealth Ontario — Free advice line, but they don't issue sick notes
What Makes a Valid Sick Note in Ontario?
A valid sick note in Ontario must:
- Be issued by a regulated health professional (physician, NP, or other qualified practitioner)
- State the dates of absence
- Confirm the employee was unable to work
- NOT need to disclose the specific diagnosis (privacy protection under PHIPA)
Your Rights Under the Ontario Human Rights Code
The Ontario Human Rights Code provides additional protections:
- Employers cannot ask for your specific diagnosis
- Medical documentation should only confirm functional limitations
- Requesting excessive medical information may constitute discrimination
MedLetter: Online Sick Notes from CPSO Physicians
MedLetter connects you with CPSO-registered physicians who can provide same day sick notes online. No clinic visit, no wait times, widely accepted by Ontario employers.
Key benefits:
- CPSO-licensed physician review
- Same-day delivery (same day)
- Accepted by all Ontario employers and schools
- No need to leave home
- Available evenings and weekends
Related: [Sick Note Ontario — Complete City Guide](/sick-note-ontario) | [Ontario Sick Note Cost 2026](/blog/ontario-sick-note-cost-2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note online in Ontario?
Yes. CPSO-licensed physicians can assess patients through virtual consultations and issue legally valid sick notes accepted by all Ontario employers.
How much does an online sick note cost in Ontario?
MedLetter charges a flat $49 for a sick note with same-day delivery. This includes the physician assessment and official documentation.
Will my Ontario employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario recognizes virtual care. Online sick notes are legally equivalent to in-person notes.
How long does it take to get a sick note from MedLetter?
Most sick notes are delivered within 2-6 hours of submission. Same-day delivery is standard.