Close X
Thursday, October 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Alberta Federation Of Labour Says Requiring Doctor's Note A Waste Of Time

Darpan News Desk IANS, 21 Jan, 2016 11:01 AM
    EDMONTON — The Alberta Federation of Labour is calling on the provincial government to do away with the longstanding practice of employers asking employees for a doctor's note to verify absences.
     
    Officials with the organization, representing a number of unions and employee organizations, call the process a waste of time.
     
    AFL president Gil McGowan says in non-unionized workplaces, many employers are using sick notes as a disincentive for workers to do what they should be doing, which is staying home and getting better.
     
    McGowan adds that the cost of a doctor’s note — which some employees have to pay for themselves — could also dissuade some employees from taking necessary time away from the workplace.
     
    Dr. Rohan Bissoondath of Preventous Health says sick note requests have become a daily occurrence at his clinic.
     
    He says it only takes a few minutes for the medical professionals, but for sick patients it's often challenging to find time to come in.
     
    “When it comes to coughs, colds, common things that people don’t need to be in front of the doctor for, the best thing for them is that they’re home, they’re out of harm’s way, and they’re not making anybody else sick.”
     
    The Canadian Federation of Independent Business argues that sick notes, even for short-term illness, are valuable for employers.
     
    “Small businesses need to be able to verify that their employees are getting the treatment that they need if they’re sick," says Amber Ruddy, CFIB’s director of provincial affairs.
     
    Ruddy agrees that the provincial government should review its policies on sick days but for an entirely different reason.
     
    “When you look at the public sector versus the private sector, people in the public sector seem to get sick more often, in fact, five days more per year than someone in the private sector,” Ruddy says.
     
    “In the public sector, people treat it more like an entitlement where they’ve negotiated sick days, they can bank them, they can retire earlier, and that’s simply unfair.”
     
    Statistics Canada shows Albertans took an average of 5.5 sick days in 2015, the lowest provincial percentage in the country. Quebec was highest, with an average of 9.8 sick days.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Feds Give UN $100 Mil For Syrian Refugee Relief, Including Work For Canada

    Feds Give UN $100 Mil For Syrian Refugee Relief, Including Work For Canada
    It's part of a larger $100 million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that the Liberals promised during the election campaign.

    Feds Give UN $100 Mil For Syrian Refugee Relief, Including Work For Canada

    Federal Government Settles Wrongful Conviction Lawsuit With Ivan Henry

    B.C. Supreme Court has heard the government will settle for an undisclosed amount in the wrongful conviction lawsuit brought by Ivan Henry after his acquittal on 10 counts of sexual assault in 2010.

    Federal Government Settles Wrongful Conviction Lawsuit With Ivan Henry

    B.C. Transportation Minister Says Highway Of Tears Changes Coming

    Eighteen women have been murdered or disappeared along the highway and adjacent routes since the 1970s.

    B.C. Transportation Minister Says Highway Of Tears Changes Coming

    Man Accused In Deaths Of Two Boys Killed By Python Ordered To Stand Trial

    Man Accused In Deaths Of Two Boys Killed By Python Ordered To Stand Trial
    CAMPBELLTON, N.B. — The lawyer for a man accused in the deaths of two boys killed by a python in New Brunswick says his client has been ordered to stand trial.

    Man Accused In Deaths Of Two Boys Killed By Python Ordered To Stand Trial

    Calgary Vs. Edmonton Vs. Regina: Police Forces Drop The Mic In Hilarious Rap Battle On Social Media

    Calgary Vs. Edmonton Vs. Regina: Police Forces Drop The Mic In Hilarious Rap Battle On Social Media
    'And I'd like to take a minute, Just sit right there, I'll tell you how my car spun out of control in mid-air'

    Calgary Vs. Edmonton Vs. Regina: Police Forces Drop The Mic In Hilarious Rap Battle On Social Media

    Ontario Mother Who Lost 3 Kids, Dad Says She Can't Bear To Have Christmas Tree At Home

    Ontario Mother Who Lost 3 Kids, Dad Says She Can't Bear To Have Christmas Tree At Home
    A grieving mother whose three children and father died in an alleged drunk driving crash north of Toronto says she and her husband can't bear to have a Christmas tree at home because it reminds them of their loss.

    Ontario Mother Who Lost 3 Kids, Dad Says She Can't Bear To Have Christmas Tree At Home