Doctors at a medical clinic in Pemberton are handing out letters instead of sick notes, asking employers to stop requiring sick notes and wasting people鈥檚 time.
Local resident Becca Moriarty, 26, posted a photo of the letter to her Facebook page this week, after going in to get a sick note for her boss.
The letter says a policy requiring a sick note for missed time puts an "added burden" on the healthcare system, taking up resources that could be used on people are who actually ill.
"People seeking sick notes 鈥� who otherwise wouldn鈥檛 see a doctor 鈥� end up in physicians鈥� offices, walk-in clinics and emergency department waiting rooms,鈥� it says. "There, they may spread germs to pregnant women, frail elderly people, cancer patients and babies 鈥� all of whom are vulnerable to communicable disease.鈥�
It also says the doctors find it difficult to charge someone for a requirement from their employer, since sick notes aren鈥檛 insured by MSP, and gives the employer a warning: continue to require medical notes and be prepared to receive a $50 invoice for each one.
鈥淎s Canadian residents, we are lucky to have our healthcare system, but citizens鈥� inability to access the systems services in a timely fashion is a growing problem,鈥� the letter says. "I hope you will consider changing your current absenteeism policy to help reduce the unnecessary burden on our health-care system and improve access for all British Columbians.鈥�
When she handed the letter to her boss, she said the reaction was 鈥渃omplete confusion."
Moriarty 鈥� who works in the food industry 鈥� added she sees both sides to the issue of sick notes.
"I understand the employer needs to know, but that comes down to: we鈥檙e adults, this isn鈥檛 school anymore, I don鈥檛 need a note from my mom saying I鈥檓 not going to be at school,鈥� she said, adding she鈥檇 much rather be at work making money than sick at home.
A person who answered the phone at the clinic said the doctors do not wish to be interviewed.
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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