QP Briefing: Allowing Employers to Require Sick Notes and Scrapping Paid Sick Days Leads to More Sick People, Medical Professionals and Studies Say

On Monday, November 18, while we at the Decent Work and Health Network were outside speaking to passersby about paid sick days, inside Queen’s Park our demands were brought to discussion. QP Briefing covered the exchange.

At the corner of University and College, just steps from Queen’s Park and the hospital row, doctors, nurses, early childhood educators, and many other health workers and community members were rallying in support of paid sick days and against sick note requirements. In question period, our voice was heard.

NDP health critic France Gélinas said in question period on Monday that the legislation will lead to the spread of illnesses.

“Getting a sick note for a minor illness is not quality care — much the opposite. People going to work sick spread their disease. People getting a sick note will often be in a waiting room spreading their germs to often frail, sick people around them,” she said, asking Health Minister Christine Elliott to reverse the decision.

QP Briefing

The Decent Work and Health Network outreach blitz for paid sick days.

NDP Deputy House Leader Peggy Sattler took the supplementary question, charging that the sick note and sick day policies will make hallway health-care worse.

“Will this government listen to health care professionals, who overwhelmingly agree that asking people to get a sick note for a minor illness is not only a waste of resources, it is dangerous? Will the acting premier reverse the provision of Bill 47?” she asked, referring to Elliott, since Ford was not in the House on Monday.

QP Briefing

Read the full story at QP Briefing.