5 Tips to Ensure Your Ontario Sick Note Request Gets Approved

5 Tips to Ensure Your Ontario Sick Note Request Gets Approved

When you request a sick note — whether online or in person — the physician needs to make a clinical judgment about your condition. Here's how to make the process smooth.

Tip 1: Be Specific About Your Symptoms

Don't say: "I don't feel well"
Do say: "I have a fever of 38.5°C, body aches, and severe fatigue that prevents me from concentrating"

Physicians need concrete symptoms to make a clinical assessment.

Tip 2: Explain How It Affects Your Work

Don't say: "I can't work"
Do say: "I work as a warehouse picker and my back pain prevents me from lifting or standing for more than 10 minutes"

Context about your job helps the physician understand why you can't work.

Tip 3: Be Honest About Duration

• Don't ask for more time than you need


• If you're unsure, say so — the physician can recommend an appropriate duration


• It's better to get a shorter note and extend it than to request too much upfront

Tip 4: Provide Relevant Medical History

If applicable, mention:

• Pre-existing conditions that are flaring up


• Current medications


• Recent medical events (surgery, diagnosis)


• Previous similar episodes

Tip 5: Request Promptly

• Don't wait a week after your absence to request a note


• Same-day or next-day requests are most credible


• If you're requesting retroactively, explain why there was a delay

What Gets Declined

Physicians may decline a sick note if:

• Symptoms don't support inability to work


• The request seems inconsistent or implausible


• You're requesting for dates far in the past without explanation


• The requested duration is excessive for the described condition

How MedLetter Works

MedLetter's form is designed to capture exactly the information physicians need. Our guided questions help you describe your symptoms clearly, leading to faster processing.

Ontario Employment Standards: Your Rights

Under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), employees are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days per year (some employers offer paid days). Important provisions:

• Employers cannot require a doctor's note for ESA-protected sick days as of January 2024 (Working for Workers Act amendments)


• The Ontario Human Rights Code requires employers to accommodate medical conditions to the point of undue hardship


• Federally regulated employees in Ontario get 10 paid sick days under the Canada Labour Code


• Many Ontario employers still request notes as a matter of company policy (distinct from legal requirement)

Statistics: Healthcare Access in Ontario

According to Ontario Health and Statistics Canada (2025-2026):

• 2.3 million Ontarians lack a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner


• Average emergency room wait time in Ontario: over 4 hours for non-urgent cases


• Walk-in clinic wait times in the GTA: 1.5-3 hours on average


• Ontario has the lowest physician-to-population ratio of any large province

Practical Steps for Ontario Employees

1. Know the ESA - Your employer cannot penalize you for taking your 3 statutory sick days
2. Check your employment contract - Many Ontario employers offer 5-10 paid sick days beyond the ESA minimum
3. Unionized workers - OPSEU, CUPE, and Unifor contracts typically provide 12-18 paid sick days annually
4. Document everything - Keep a record of when you called in and who you spoke to
5. Accommodation requests - If you have a chronic condition, consider requesting formal workplace accommodation under the OHRC

When a Sick Note May Not Be Required

While Ontario law has specific rules, most employers still require documentation. Here's when you need to protect yourself:

• Your 3 annual ESA sick days (Working for Workers Act, 2024)


• Family responsibility leave (up to 3 days)


• Bereavement leave (up to 2 days)


• Domestic or sexual violence leave

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.