What must I tell my employer about sick leave?

You should request paid sick leave as far in advance as you can. You can use paid sick leave in whatever increments of time your employer counts, such as full days, hours or possibly 15 minute intervals. You do not need to provide a doctor’s note unless requested by your employer for an absence of three or more days.

What information is required when requesting sick leave?

When requesting sick leave, you generally only need to inform your employer that you need to use your paid sick time. You are not required to provide detailed information about your medical condition or the specific nature of your illness.

For planned absences (like scheduled medical appointments), it’s best to give your employer as much advance notice as possible. For unexpected illnesses, notify your employer as soon as you can.

Can my employer ask for documentation?

Your employer can only request documentation, such as a doctor’s note, if you are absent for three or more consecutive days. For shorter absences, they cannot require medical documentation.

More

RSMO 290.606 (7) “For earned paid sick time of three or more consecutive work days, an employer may require reasonable documentation that the earned paid sick time has been used for a purpose covered by subsection 1* of this section.

(1) Documentation signed by a heath care professional indicating that earned paid sick time is necessary shall be considered reasonable documentation for purposes of this section.

(2) In cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, if the employer requests, one of the following types of documentation selected by the employee shall be considered reasonable documentation: (i) a police report indicating that the employee or the employee’s family member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; (ii) a written statement from an employee or agent of a victim service provider affirming that the employee or employee’s family member is or was receiving services from a victim service provider; (iii) documentation signed by a health care professional from whom the employee or employee’s family member sought assistance relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking or the effects thereof; (iv)** a court document indicating that an employee or employee’s family member is or was involved in a legal action related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; or (v) a written statement from the employee affirming that the employee or employee’s family member is taking or took earned paid sick time for a qualifying purpose of subsection 1* of this section.

(3) An employer may not require that the documentation explain the nature of the illness, details of the underlying health needs, or the details of the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, unless otherwise required by law.”