The group that represents physicians across Manitoba stepped up its campaign to restrict the use of sick notes Tuesday.
Doctors Manitoba launched a web page, social media video and guide for employers aimed at highlighting the amount of time and money taken up by workers who have to get sick notes to explain their time off.
“There are over 600,000 sick notes requested in Manitoba every year,” said the group’s president, Dr. Nichelle Desilets, a family doctor in Neepawa, Man.
“Every sick note takes time away from patients who need medical care, and that’s particularly concerning at a time when Manitoba has the second-worst doctor shortage in the country.”
Doctors Manitoba asked the government earlier this year to follow most other provinces and set limits on how employers can demand sick notes.
The Saskatchewan government recently passed a law that prohibits employers from asking for a sick note unless the employee has been absent for more than five consecutive working days, or has been absent twice for two or more days within a year.
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The Manitoba campaign includes a video with workers going to a human resources officer for medical advice. One drops his pants. The intended message is that doctors should deal with medical issues and human resources leaders should deal with issues such as sick notes.
The Manitoba government has said it’s considering changes but hasn’t made any commitments.
Tory McNally, a vice-president with consulting firm Legacy Bowes who is working with Doctors Manitoba, said some employers have concerns with the proposed changes.
“What employers are really interested in is holding their employees accountable. And so when you say ‘taking away sick notes,’ they’ll immediately think: ‘How am I going to verify it in other ways,'” McNally said.
Doctors Manitoba will offer a tool kit with guidance for employers on how to keep track of workers on the issue, she said.
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