Add Comment Question: I received an 'expectations' letter at my workplace (large multi-billion dollar company with thousands of employees in Ontario). The letter basically says I will get fired if I continue to call in sick. The problem I have is that I've only had 4 sick calls in the last 9 months I've been employed there, according to the standards employment act, I should get 10 at least per calendar year. I went to human resource about it and they (our department representative and our HR manager) told me that it was justified because the company paid me for my sick days and the 10 day law doesn't apply. The human resource manager even went as far as to tell me that the next time I'm sick, irrespective of what medical proof I have, my supervisor can demand I come into work to see the plant nurse to validate if I am too sick to work, and that if the nurse doesn't detect anything I could get terminated. Please help, I really worry about the next time something happens and I have to choose between my job and my health. Answer: Thank you for your question. The Employment Standards Act does not necessarily provide for paid 'sick days', but it, along with the Ontario Human Rights Code, does protect employees who cannot work because of illness or disability. If you have used up all of your sick days, but are unable to attend work because of illness, you should immediately obtain a note from your doctor (not theirs) confirming your inability to work for medical reasons and the prognosis for your return to work. You will not be paid for your absence, but the company cannot terminate you for that reason. If they do, you would likely be owed severance and additional compensation for the way in which you were terminated. Your Comment * Your Email * Your Name * Your City Note, your name, city and email is not displayed on the website. It is used to notify you that we have approved your comment.