With worries surrounding the spread of coronavirus, the province’s largest public sector union is calling on the provincial government to end the need for employees to present a doctors’ note for sick days.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Standards Act currently requires workers to provide a doctor’s note for sick leave of three consecutive days or more.
NAPE President Jerry Earle says in the midst of another cold and flu season—with heightened concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus—needing a sick note is a public health risk.
He says to require an employee to sit in a busy waiting room when they are sick puts others at risk.
