Sick Note Guidelines

Spread of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has been almost exclusively through community exposures to this point, and is where most exposures for Health Care Workers will occur.  However, exposure to the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 can, and will, occur in health care settings. 

Workers experiencing symptoms of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) should be off work for 7 days after the onset of symptoms or until they are symptom free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.  People who receive antiviral treatment may be infectious for a shorter time. Workers who receive antiviral treatment may return to work as soon as their symptoms resolve and they have received at least three (3) full days of treatment.

The ill worker must advise their manager that the absence is due to illness.  In return, the manager will let their worker know where they can access antiviral medication or where they can get the information to access antiviral medication. See further information regarding the access to antiviral medication here.

In many areas, managers routinely request sick notes from absent workers after a predetermined length of time. During the pandemic, managers are asked to refrain from requesting sick notes for casual illness or as a routine update in the case of an extended absence. 

As well, community physicians have been advised to refrain from writing sick notes for influenza like illness. This practice will be in effect until further notice.