Can Your Employer Call Your Doctor in Alberta?

No. Under Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), your employer cannot contact your doctor without your explicit written consent. Your medical information is confidential, and your doctor cannot confirm or deny that you are a patient without your authorization.

Alberta Privacy Law is Clear

Alberta has two laws that protect your medical privacy from employer intrusion. The Health Information Act (HIA) governs how health information is collected, used, and disclosed. The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) governs how private-sector employers handle personal information. Together, they create a strong barrier between your employer and your healthcare providers.

What Your Employer CAN Do

While your employer cannot call your doctor, they can:

• Ask you to provide a sick note (but cannot specify which doctor)
• Verify the format and appearance of a sick note for obvious fraud
• Ask whether you're able to return to work (yes/no)
• Request functional limitations for accommodation purposes
• Refer you to an independent medical examination (IME) at their cost

What Your Employer CANNOT Do

Your employer is prohibited from:

• Calling your doctor to verify a sick note
• Asking your doctor about your diagnosis
• Requesting your medical records
• Contacting your pharmacy
• Asking you what your diagnosis is (they can only ask about functional limitations)
• Requiring you to see a specific doctor for a sick note

What If Your Employer Threatens to Call?

If your employer threatens to contact your doctor, they are likely bluffing or uninformed about the law. Your doctor's office will not release any information without your signed consent form. If your employer actually contacts your doctor without consent, this may constitute a privacy violation under PIPA.

MedLetter Notes Are Fully Verifiable

Every MedLetter sick note includes a unique verification ID. Employers can verify authenticity at medletter.ca/verify without contacting any physician. This satisfies employer verification needs while protecting your privacy completely.