How to Get a Workplace Accommodation Letter in Alberta (2026 Guide)
Need a workplace accommodation letter? Here's exactly how to get one from a doctor in Alberta, what it must include, and how to submit it to your employer.
## What Is a Workplace Accommodation Letter?
A workplace accommodation letter is a medical document from a licensed physician that confirms you have a health condition requiring changes to your work environment, duties, or schedule. Under the **Alberta Human Rights Act**, your employer has a legal duty to accommodate your medical needs to the point of undue hardship.
This letter does NOT need to disclose your specific diagnosis. It only needs to describe your functional limitations and recommended accommodations.
## When Do You Need a Workplace Accommodation Letter?
You need this letter when:
- You have a physical or mental health condition affecting your ability to work
- You need modified duties, flexible hours, or ergonomic changes
- You want to work from home due to a medical condition
- You're returning from medical leave and need a gradual return plan
- Your employer has requested medical documentation to process your accommodation request
- You have anxiety, depression, ADHD, chronic pain, or another condition requiring workplace changes
## What Must a Workplace Accommodation Letter Include?
A proper accommodation letter from a physician should include:
| Required Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Physician's name and credentials | Must be a licensed physician (CPSA-registered in Alberta) |
| Date of assessment | When the physician reviewed your condition |
| Functional limitations | What you cannot do or struggle with at work (NOT your diagnosis) |
| Recommended accommodations | Specific changes needed (e.g., flexible hours, modified duties) |
| Expected duration | Temporary or permanent; review date if applicable |
| Physician's signature and license number | Proves the letter is legitimate |
**Important:** Your employer is NOT entitled to know your specific diagnosis. The letter should focus on functional limitations and recommended accommodations only.
## Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Accommodation Letter
### Step 1: Identify What Accommodations You Need
Before seeing a doctor, think about what specific changes would help you:
- **Schedule changes:** Flexible start/end times, compressed work week, reduced hours
- **Work location:** Work from home (full or partial), quiet workspace, ground floor office
- **Duty modifications:** Reduced lifting, no customer-facing tasks, limited screen time
- **Equipment/environment:** Ergonomic chair, standing desk, noise-cancelling headphones, dimmed lighting
- **Breaks:** Additional rest breaks, longer lunch, break room access
- **Leave:** Intermittent leave for appointments, gradual return-to-work plan
### Step 2: See a Licensed Physician
You have several options:
| Option | Cost | Wait Time | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family doctor | $0-50 | Days to weeks | Knows your history |
| Walk-in clinic | $30-75 | 2-4 hours | Same day, no appointment |
| MedLetter (online) | $99 | Under 1 hour | No wait, no appointment, same-day delivery |
**Why online is often better:** Many family doctors are unfamiliar with the specific language employers need in accommodation letters. They may write something too vague ("patient needs accommodations") or too detailed (disclosing your diagnosis). MedLetter's physicians specialize in workplace documentation and know exactly what Alberta employers require.
### Step 3: Discuss Your Situation with the Physician
Tell the doctor:
- How your condition affects your work
- What tasks you struggle with
- What accommodations you think would help
- Whether this is temporary or ongoing
### Step 4: Submit the Letter to Your Employer
Once you have your letter:
1. Give it to your direct supervisor or HR department
2. Keep a copy for your records
3. Request written confirmation that they received it
4. Ask for a timeline on when accommodations will be implemented
## Your Rights Under the Alberta Human Rights Act
The **Alberta Human Rights Act** protects employees with physical and mental disabilities from discrimination. Key rights:
- Your em