Medical Leave Referral

Extended Absence from Work   

• When an employee is away from work for more than five days due to illness or non occupational injury, the supervisor will submit a Health and Wellness referral form.  
• To ensure transparency in the process, supervisors are required, wherever possible, to inform the employee about the referral.
• Employees have a responsibility to maintain regular communication with their supervisor and/or Health and Wellness.

Time off due to Workplace Injury

• Workers Compensation Board (WCB) reporting requirements must be followed, and Health and Wellness should be notified immediately. Faculty members are not covered by the Workers Compensation legislation, as teaching professions are currently exempt. 

Medical Disability - Temporary or Indefinite Accommodation

• When an employee requires a temporary or indefinite accommodation due to a medical disability a referral needs to be submitted even if there has not been an absence.

Patterns of or Excessive Absence      

• When there is a pattern to absence or excessive absence over a period of time this should be discussed with a Health and
  Wellness Consultant and a Human Resources Consultant. Employees can also self refer to a Health and Wellness Consultant.

Health and Wellness is entrusted with the administration of sick leave plans, disability insurance plans and workers compensation claims. 

We all know there are times when people will need access to sick leave and disability insurance due to personal health challenges and we are here to ensure this process is timely and effective. We believe work is good for people and long term absence in general can have an adverse impact on health and well being. 

Supervisors need to know if someone is medically fit to be at work or medically unable to be at work.

In general the employer is entitled to information to satisfy that an employee is fit to return to work, this does not include
confidential medical information. It does include informing the supervisor of any medical limitations that may require accommodation, if necessary employees can work with Health and Wellness to communicate required information to their supervisor.

Referrals into Health and Wellness may come from supervisors, self referral, Unions/Associations and/or from Human Resources.

For additional information, contact:

Health & Wellness Resource Centre (HWRC)
Research Annex, Room 237
105 Maintenance Road
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C5
Ph: 966-4580 
Fax: 966-2882