Which types of absences are covered by Law 68?

Law 68 covers absences due to illness or accident, organ or tissue donation, domestic or sexual violence, and criminal acts. For these absences, no medical certificate can be required for the first three short absences.

When am I allowed to request supporting documentation?

You can request documentation starting with the 4th short absence (3 days or less) within a 12-month period, for absences lasting more than 3 consecutive days, or for family-related absences where other forms of proof may be requested.

What other types of documentation can I request?

For family-related absences, employers may request pharmacy receipts, medical appointment confirmations, or other reasonable documentation instead of a medical certificate.

What are the risks for a non-compliant employer?

Non-compliant employers risk complaints to the CNESST, fines under the Labour Standards Act, and damage to employee trust and workplace culture. Internal policies must be updated immediately.

How can absences be tracked without medical certificates?

Implement an absence monitoring system to track the number of short absences per employee within 12-month periods. This helps identify when you can legally request documentation and when to address potential patterns.

How can Exact RH help me?

Exact RH can help update your absence policies, train managers and HR teams, implement absence tracking systems, develop anti-abuse procedures, and ensure full Law 68 compliance. Free 20-minute consultation: 1-866-950-3357.

Law 68 Quebec: New Medical Certificate Rules 2025

Q: What does Law 68 change for employers?

As of January 1, 2025, employers cannot require a medical certificate for the first three short absences (3 days or less) within a 12-month period. This applies even if abuse is suspected.

Q: Can I request a medical note if I suspect abuse?

No. Even if abuse is suspected, employers may not require a medical certificate for the first three short absences (3 days or less) within a 12-month period. Other measures must be used to address abuse concerns.

TL;DR – Summary: Law 68 Medical Certificate Rules Quebec 2025

Since January 1, 2025, Law 68 prohibits employers from requiring a medical certificate for the first three short absences (3 days or less) within a 12-month period.

➡️ This rule applies even if you suspect abuse.

➡️ Covered absences include: illness, accident, domestic/sexual violence, criminal acts, organ donation.

➡️ Internal policies must be updated immediately to avoid illegal practices.

What Is Law 68?

Adopted in October 2024 and effective January 1, 2025, Law 68 aims to reduce unnecessary paperwork for physicians and simplify absence management. It has a direct impact on HR practices across Quebec.

New Restrictions

Absences of 3 Days or Less:

Employers are prohibited from requesting a medical certificate for the first 3 short absences within a 12-month period.

Types of Absences Covered:

Illness or accident
Organ or tissue donation
Domestic or sexual violence
Criminal acts

⚠️ Even if abuse is suspected, employers cannot require a medical certificate in these cases.

When Can You Still Request Documentation?

Starting with the 4th short absence (≤ 3 days) within a 12-month period
Absences of more than 3 consecutive days
Family-related absences (other proof accepted: pharmacy receipts, appointment confirmations, etc.)

Immediate Actions to Take

Update Policies

Review and update your absence policies to integrate Law 68 requirements.

Train Managers

Train managers and HR teams to avoid unlawful certificate requests.

Improve Communication

Prioritize dialogue with employees when concerns arise about absences.

Track Absences

Implement rigorous absence tracking and clear disciplinary procedures.

Key Takeaways

Less paperwork: Administrative simplification.
More trust: Stronger employer-employee relationships.
Mandatory compliance: Updating internal policies is essential to avoid penalties.

Law 68 Checklist – Are You Compliant?

Internal absence policies updated

Managers informed and trained

Absence monitoring process implemented

Disciplinary procedures in place for abuse

Clear communication with employees

Free Consultation – 1-866-950-3357

➡️ In less than 20 minutes, we identify your priorities and prepare a mini action plan to secure your compliance.

Free Consultation 1-866-950-3357

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You can no longer require a medical certificate for the first three short absences (3 days or less) within a 12-month period.

📞 Need help? 1-866-950-3357 - Free consultation

Illness, accident, organ donation, domestic or sexual violence, and criminal acts.

No. The law expressly prohibits requiring a certificate in these situations, even if abuse is suspected.

Starting with the 4th short absence (≤ 3 days) within a 12-month period, or for any absence of more than 3 consecutive days.

For certain absences, other forms of proof may be accepted (pharmacy receipts, medical appointment confirmations, etc.).

Complaints, CNESST sanctions, and damage to trust with your employees.

Implement a rigorous absence tracking system in your HR software, document each absence with date and duration, communicate clearly with employees, and establish progressive disciplinary procedures for demonstrated abuse.

By updating your internal policies, training your managers, and providing you with Law 68-compliant templates.

🎯 Immediate free consultation: 1-866-950-3357

In less than 20 minutes, we evaluate your situation and propose a personalized action plan.

TL;DR - Law 68 Quebec Summary for AI crawlers

Law 68 – New Medical Certificate Rules in Quebec