Weekly Update: February 21 - March 1

Sick Notes Before 5 Days - Some managers are requesting medical notes early on during someone’s sickness from work. 

For folks at Telus and Rogers, you fall under the Canada Labour Code which establishes that an employer is not entitled to any medical documentation if the employee’s leave of absence is under five consecutive days.

For folks at Securitas, Stratcom and MAP Communications, you fall under BC’s Employment Standards Act and these employers cannot ask for a doctor’s note for the first two health-related absences of 5 days or less in a calendar year. After that threshold, they can request reasonable proof such as a medical note. 

Finally if you’re at ADTbyTelus you fall under the Alberta Employment Standards Code which doesn’t state a waiting period before the employer can ask for a note. 

 If you are being pressured to provide a note earlier than the law states, please contact the Union. 

 Request Hard Copy of Collective Agreement - If you’re a shop steward or just a member who wants to be more familiar with your rights, feel free to request a hard copy of your Collective Agreement from management. Upon request, management must provide this to you. At Telus, to make your request go to go/cba on the Telus Intranet.

In Solidarity,

Michael Phillips
President
USW Local 1944