Westman Works – May 2026

For many Manitoba employers, requesting a sick note has simply become part of the routine. An employee calls in sick, a supervisor asks for documentation, and everyone moves on. But in recent years, conversations around sick notes have started to shift. Doctors’ offices are busier than ever, employees are feeling more pressure balancing health and work, and businesses are trying to navigate attendance issues while still maintaining trust and fairness in the workplace. Now, Manitoba’s proposed Bill 11 could change how employers handle sick notes altogether.

The proposed legislation would place limits on when employers can request medical notes from employees. If passed, employers would only be able to ask for a sick note after an employee has been absent for more than seven consecutive days or has missed more than ten scheduled workdays in a year due to illness or injury. The bill would also allow notes from a wider range of healthcare professionals rather than only physicians. While the changes may sound small at first, they could significantly impact how workplaces manage attendance, absenteeism, and employee communication.

For many employers, especially small businesses, attendance management can already feel like a balancing act. Most organizations are not trying to make employees’ lives harder. They are trying to keep operations running smoothly while also ensuring policies are applied fairly across the workplace. At the same time, healthcare professionals across Manitoba have raised concerns about the growing number of appointments being used primarily to obtain sick notes rather than receive medical care. Doctors Manitoba has publicly supported efforts to reduce unnecessary sick note requests, noting that these appointments take time away from patients who may need urgent treatment.

The discussion around Bill 11 is also part of a much bigger workplace conversation happening across Canada. Employees are increasingly expecting workplaces to support wellbeing, flexibility, and respectful communication, while employers are trying to adapt to changing laws and expectations. Whether Bill 11 becomes law exactly as written or undergoes further changes, one thing is clear: Manitoba employers should start paying attention now. Reviewing attendance policies, training supervisors, and understanding the potential impact of these changes could help workplaces avoid confusion and build stronger employee relationships moving forward.

References:

Doctors Manitoba. (2026). Doctors Manitoba to support employers as Manitoba phases out sick notes.Doctors Manitoba

Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. (2026). Bill 11 – The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Sick Notes for Employee Absences). Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

MLT Aikins. (2026). Proposed restrictions on sick notes for Manitoba employers. 

MLT Aikins

Taylor McCaffrey Lawyers. (2026). Restrictions upcoming to sick note requirements in Manitoba. 

Taylor McCaffrey Lawyers.