Do You Need a Sick Note for 1 Day Off Work in Alberta?

Alberta law does not require a sick note for a single day off. However, your employer's internal policy may require one. About 30% of Alberta employers require documentation for any absence, while most only require it after 2-3 consecutive days.

The Short Answer

No, Alberta law does not require a sick note for a single day off work. The Employment Standards Code provides job-protected leave without mandating medical documentation for any specific duration. However, it allows employers to request 'reasonable verification', and many interpret this as a sick note.

What Your Employer's Policy Says Matters More

In practice, your employer's attendance policy is what determines whether you need a note. Common Alberta employer policies:

• No note required for 1 day (most common, ~50% of employers)
• Note required after 2 consecutive days (~30% of employers)
• Note required for any absence (~20% of employers, mostly small businesses)
• Note required for pattern absences (e.g., always sick on Mondays)

When to Get a Note for 1 Day Anyway

Even if not required, consider getting a note if: you're in your probationary period, you've had recent attendance discussions, the absence is before/after a long weekend, you work in a strict industry (oil & gas, healthcare, construction), or you want a paper trail for protection.

The $49 Insurance Policy

A MedLetter sick note costs $49 and takes minutes to request. If there's any chance your employer will question your 1-day absence, it's cheap insurance. Delivered same day, widely accepted by Alberta employers, verifiable at medletter.ca/verify.