Common use of Doctor’s Note Clause in Contracts

Doctor’s Note. In all instances, employees claiming entitlement to sick leave may be required to submit a doctor’s note. The note must indicate the medical problem and explicitly excuse the employee from work on each day absent. Notes that merely indicate that the employee had a doctor’s visit are not acceptable. Doctor’s notes may be required regardless of the number of days absent. This is true even if the employee is attending to a seriously ill immediate family member. In that situation, the employee may be required to supply a note for the immediate family member’s doctor indicating the degree of illness and the need for the employee’s absence from work each day the employee is absent. Failure to submit required doctor’s notes to the start of next scheduled workday may result in denial of paid sick leave and may also result in discipline up to and including discharge.