Online Sick Note in New Brunswick
New Brunswick, like Nova Scotia, provides limited statutory protection for short sick absences. Employers can generally require documentation for any absence, making accessible online services important for NB workers.
New Brunswick Employment Standards Act
Current provisions:
- No legislated paid sick days (employer policy determines)
- Unpaid sick leave: up to 5 days per year (job-protected, recent amendment)
- No explicit prohibition on requiring notes for short absences
- Employer can request "reasonable" documentation
When You Need a Sick Note in New Brunswick
| Situation | Note Likely Required? |
|---|---|
| 1-day absence | Employer-dependent |
| 2-3 day absence | Most employers request documentation |
| 3+ day absence | Almost always required |
| Using job-protected sick days | Employer may request proof |
| Return after extended illness | Usually required |
How Online Sick Notes Work in New Brunswick
1. Complete medical questionnaire — Available in English and French
2. CPSNB-registered physician reviews — Licensed NB physician assesses
3. Documentation delivered — Same-day, bilingual if needed
4. Submit to employer — Valid under NB standards
New Brunswick-Specific Context
Bilingual province: New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province. Online services should provide documentation in both English and French. MedLetter provides bilingual documentation.
Rural healthcare access: Outside Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, healthcare access is limited. Northern NB (Bathurst, Edmundston, Campbellton) and rural communities face significant physician shortages.
Irving Industries: New Brunswick's largest private employer (Irving Oil, J.D. Irving, Irving Shipbuilding) employs thousands across the province. Workers in remote forestry and industrial operations benefit from online documentation access.
Seasonal workers: Fishing, forestry, and tourism create seasonal employment patterns. Workers may lack consistent healthcare relationships.
CPSNB and Virtual Care
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick (CPSNB) recognizes:
- Virtual care as legitimate medical practice
- Both English and French language service
- Sick notes from virtual assessments as equivalent to in-person
- No requirement for physical examination for standard documentation
New Brunswick's 5-Day Unpaid Leave
Recent amendment details:
- 5 unpaid job-protected sick days per year
- Available after 90 days of employment
- Employer may request documentation (not prohibited)
- Days don't carry over year to year
- Applies to all employees covered by NB Employment Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my NB employer require a note for 1 sick day?
Currently yes — New Brunswick doesn't have explicit protections like Ontario. However, the request should be reasonable given the circumstances.
Can I get my sick note in French?
Yes. As New Brunswick is officially bilingual, medical documentation should be available in both official languages. Online services serving NB should offer bilingual documentation.
Are online sick notes accepted by NB employers?
Yes. A note from any CPSNB-registered physician is valid regardless of assessment modality.
Do I need a note for my 5 unpaid sick days?
The legislation allows employers to request documentation. Check your specific employer's policy — some require it, others don't.
Sources
- New Brunswick Employment Standards Act
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick — Virtual Care
- Government of New Brunswick — Employment Standards
- WorkSafeNB — Return to Work Guidelines