Fired for Not Providing a Sick Note in Alberta?
Being fired for not providing a sick note is one of the most stressful employment situations Albertans face. Whether your termination was lawful depends on several factors, including your employment contract, company policy, and how the termination was handled. In Alberta, employers can generally request a sick note, but firing you solely for not providing one may constitute wrongful termination in certain circumstances. This page explains your rights and provides immediate solutions.
Can Your Employer Legally Fire You for No Sick Note?
Under Alberta's Employment Standards Code, employers have the right to request medical documentation for absences. However, termination is a separate legal matter. An employer can terminate you 'without cause' (with proper notice or pay in lieu), but they cannot terminate you 'with cause' solely because you failed to provide a sick note unless your employment contract specifically requires it and you were given reasonable opportunity to comply.
- Employers CAN request a sick note for absences
- Employers CANNOT fire you 'with cause' solely for a missing sick note in most cases
- Termination 'without cause' requires proper notice or severance pay
- If you were sick and unable to obtain a note (e.g., no family doctor), this strengthens your position
- Retaliatory termination for taking legitimate sick leave may violate human rights legislation
What to Do Right Now
If you've been fired or threatened with termination over a sick note, take these immediate steps to protect yourself:
- Document everything: save emails, texts, and written warnings about the sick note request
- Get a sick note retroactively: MedLetter can provide a backdated note confirming your illness
- Review your employment contract for sick note requirements
- Check if your employer provided reasonable time to obtain the note
- Consider filing an employment standards complaint if proper notice wasn't given
- Consult an employment lawyer if you believe the termination was wrongful
Alberta's 2026 Sick Leave Changes
As of January 1, 2026, Alberta expanded job-protected long-term illness leave from 16 weeks to 27 weeks. For short-term absences, employers can still request medical documentation, but several provinces (BC, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia) have banned sick notes for short illnesses. While Alberta hasn't followed suit yet, the trend is moving toward reducing sick note requirements. If your employer fired you for a short absence without a note, this changing landscape may support your case.
- Alberta now provides up to 27 weeks of job-protected long-term illness leave
- BC banned sick notes for short-term illness in 2025
- Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia have similar bans
- The Canadian Medical Association supports eliminating sick notes nationwide
- Alberta may follow other provinces in banning short-term sick notes
When a Retroactive Sick Note Can Help
If you were genuinely ill but couldn't get a sick note at the time (because you had no family doctor, couldn't get an appointment, or were too sick to visit a clinic), a retroactive sick note from MedLetter can help. Our CPSA-registered physicians can provide documentation confirming your illness for dates in the recent past, which may help resolve disputes with your employer or support an employment standards complaint.
FAQ
Can I get a sick note after I've already been fired?
Yes. MedLetter can provide retroactive sick notes for recent absences. While this may not reverse a termination, it can support an employment standards complaint or wrongful termination claim by demonstrating you were genuinely ill.
Is it legal for my employer to require a sick note for 1 day off?
In Alberta, yes, employers can generally require a sick note for any absence if it's in your employment contract or company policy. However, this is changing across Canada. BC and Saskatchewan have banned sick notes for short absences, and Alberta may follow.
Should I file an employment standards complaint?
If you were terminated without proper notice or pay in lieu of notice, you may have grounds for a complaint with Alberta Employment Standards. If you believe the termination was discriminatory (e.g., related to a disability or chronic illness), you may also file a human rights complaint.
How much does a retroactive sick note cost?
MedLetter charges $49 for a sick note, whether for a current or recent past absence. There are no hidden fees, consultation charges, or follow-up costs.
Will my employer accept a retroactive sick note?
Most employers accept retroactive sick notes from licensed physicians. MedLetter notes are issued on official letterhead with the physician's CPSA registration number and signature, making them indistinguishable from notes obtained at the time of illness.
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