Can an Employer Punish You for Taking Time Off for Physiotherapy?

At our physiotherapy clinics, we regularly hear patients say that fitting appointments into their work schedule can be difficult. For some, it is not just a matter of finding a convenient time — they worry about what could happen if they need to leave work for treatment. These are understandable concerns, particularly when physiotherapy is part of recovering from an injury, managing an ongoing condition, or returning to work after an illness or workplace injury.

To help answer our patients’ questions, we reached out to Danijela Obradovic, who is an employment lawyer in Toronto, for her perspective on what employees should know about taking time away from work for physiotherapy.

Can You Take Time Off Work for Physiotherapy?

For many people, physiotherapy is an important part of recovering from an injury or managing pain and mobility issues. However, appointments may sometimes fall during your regular working hours, particularly if you need ongoing treatment or have limited scheduling options. As Danijela explains, there is no single rule that automatically makes every physiotherapy appointment protected time away from work — the circumstances surrounding the appointment matter.

For example, an employee may be able to use available sick days, vacation time, or another form of leave depending on their workplace policies and the reason for the absence. Employees should generally follow their employer’s procedures for requesting time off and provide reasonable notice whenever possible.

However, the situation can be different when physiotherapy is connected to an injury, illness, disability, or other medical condition that affects an employee’s ability to work. “If your physiotherapy is part of treatment for a medical condition or disability, there may be additional workplace protections that apply,” explains Danijela. “The important question is why you need the treatment, and what impact the underlying condition has on your ability to work.”

When Physiotherapy May Be Connected to a Disability or Medical Condition

Physiotherapy is often used to treat injuries and physical conditions that can affect your ability to work, whether temporarily or on an ongoing basis. In some instances, your physiotherapy appointments may be part of a broader medical need, rather than simply an occasional check-up.

This distinction can be important in the workplace. If the condition requiring physiotherapy qualifies as a disability under Ontario’s human rights framework, you may have the right to request accommodation. Depending on your circumstances, accommodation could include adjustments to your schedule or allowing you to attend necessary medical appointments during working hours.

Does Your Employer Have to Accommodate Physiotherapy Appointments?

If your physiotherapy is part of treatment for a medical condition, or a short-term disability or long-term disability, your employer may have a duty to accommodate your needs in the workplace. Danijela explains that, in Ontario, accommodation is intended to help employees overcome barriers related to a disability and continue participating in the workplace, provided the accommodation does not cause undue hardship for the employer.

Depending on your circumstances, workplace accommodation could take different forms. An employer may be able to adjust your start or end time, modify your schedule, allow you to take time away from work for recurring appointments, or temporarily adjust certain job duties. The appropriate accommodation will depend on your individual needs and the nature of your work.

Accommodation is generally a shared process. You should communicate your needs to your employer and provide appropriate medical information when it is reasonably required to understand your restrictions or accommodation needs. Your employer, in turn, should meaningfully consider possible accommodations rather than simply dismissing a request because it creates an inconvenience.

At the same time, accommodation does not necessarily mean that an employer must approve every requested appointment time or arrangement. Employees may still be expected to follow reasonable workplace procedures, communicate their needs, and cooperate in finding workable solutions. The goal is to find an arrangement that allows you to manage your treatment while continuing to meet your workplace responsibilities.

What Should You Tell Your Employer About Your Physiotherapy?

If you need time away from work for physiotherapy, you may wonder how much information you need to give your employer. In many cases, there is an important distinction between explaining that you need medical treatment and providing the specific details of your diagnosis or condition.

For example, if you simply need to leave work early for a physiotherapy appointment, your employer may only need to know when you will be away and when you expect to return. However, if your physiotherapy is part of an ongoing medical condition that affects your ability to perform your job, you may need to provide additional medical information to support an accommodation request.

Depending on the circumstances, this information may focus on your functional limitations, restrictions, or treatment-related needs rather than requiring you to disclose your complete medical history. If your employer asks for medical documentation, make sure you understand what information is actually being requested and why it is needed.

When possible, communicate your need for time off or accommodation as early as you can. Keeping your requests and relevant communications in writing can also help ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of your needs and the arrangements that have been made.

What If Your Physiotherapy Is Because of a Workplace Injury?

If your physiotherapy requirements stem from an injury that occurred at work, there may be additional considerations beyond simply arranging time away from work for an appointment. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to report the injury through the appropriate workplace process, follow medical recommendations, and communicate any work restrictions or limitations to your employer.

Your physiotherapy may also form part of your recovery and return-to-work plan. If your healthcare provider has recommended specific restrictions or changes to your duties while you recover, your employer may need to consider how those restrictions can be accommodated. Keeping records of your treatment, medical recommendations, and communications with your employer can help ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of your recovery needs.

If your employer discourages you from attending treatment, refuses to consider documented restrictions, or threatens disciplinary action because of an injury or related absence, the situation may require closer attention. In these circumstances, understanding your rights and responsibilities can help you determine what steps to take next.

Can an Employer Discipline You for Missing Work to Attend Physiotherapy?

Employers generally have the right to establish reasonable attendance policies and expect employees to follow procedures for requesting time away from work. Simply having a physiotherapy appointment does not necessarily mean that an employee can miss work without notifying their employer or following those policies. 

However, the situation can be different when the appointment is medically necessary or connected to a disability, illness, or workplace injury.

“If an employer knows that an employee requires medical treatment, and that the employee has requested accommodation, disciplining that employee for an absence related to their medical needs can raise different legal considerations,” says Danijela.

Concerns may arise if an employer:

• Punishes you for attending medically necessary treatment after you have properly communicated your need for time away
• Refuses to consider reasonable accommodation for a condition requiring ongoing physiotherapy
• Threatens termination or other discipline because you have requested medical accommodation
• Treats medically related absences differently because of an employee’s disability or medical condition

If you are dealing with an employer who is threatening discipline or termination because you need time away for physiotherapy, avoid assuming that you have to choose between your health and your job. Document your communications, follow applicable workplace procedures, and consider obtaining legal advice before taking further action. The specific facts of your situation will determine what rights and protections may apply.

What If Your Employer Threatens to Fire You for Attending Physiotherapy?

A threat of termination can raise different concerns depending on why you need physiotherapy and how your employer responds to your request for time away. An employer does not necessarily have to approve every request for time off simply because it is for a physiotherapy appointment, but the circumstances can change what is required of your employer. 

“If an employee is being threatened with termination because they need medical treatment, I would recommend that they avoid making assumptions about their legal rights in either direction,” says Danijela. “The details matter, including the reason for the treatment, what information has been provided to the employer, whether accommodation has been requested, and how the employer has responded.”

If an employee is ultimately dismissed in circumstances where their medical needs or accommodation request may have played a role, they may have a wrongful termination or other employment-related claim. A wrongful dismissal lawyer can review the circumstances and help determine what rights may apply.

What Should You Do If Your Employer Is Punishing You for Attending Physiotherapy?

If your employer has started disciplining you, threatening your job, or otherwise penalizing you because you need time away for physiotherapy, it is important to approach the situation carefully. The steps you take can help you protect your employment rights and create a clear record of what has happened.

1. Keep a Record of All Communications

Save emails, messages, written warnings, scheduling discussions, and other communications related to your appointments or requests for time off. If conversations take place in person, consider keeping your own notes about what was discussed, including the date and who was present.

2. Follow Your Workplace’s Procedures

Continue to follow reasonable procedures for requesting time off, reporting absences, and providing any medical documentation that may be required. If you are requesting accommodation, communicate your needs clearly and give your employer an opportunity to respond.

3. Collect Relevant Medical Documentation

Keep copies of documentation that supports your need for treatment, including information about restrictions or accommodation needs. You may not need to provide your employer with your complete medical history, but appropriate documentation can help establish the need for time away or workplace accommodation.

4. Think Carefully Before Resigning

If your employer is making your situation difficult, you may be tempted to quit. Before making that decision, however, it can be helpful to understand your legal position. Resigning without first getting advice can affect what options may be available to you later.

If you are facing discipline, threats of termination, or significant changes to your employment because of a medical condition or treatment, consider speaking with an employment lawyer before making a decision about your job.

Balancing Your Health and Your Work

Managing an injury or medical condition can be challenging enough without worrying about whether attending physiotherapy could put your job at risk. For employees, the key takeaway is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. A physiotherapy appointment does not automatically entitle someone to miss work without following workplace procedures, but medical treatment connected to a disability, illness, or workplace injury may engage additional workplace protections.

At our clinics, our physiotherapists understand that treatment needs to fit into real life, including work schedules and other responsibilities. If you are struggling to find a way to manage your treatment alongside your daily routine, our team can work with you to develop a treatment plan around your recovery needs.

If your physiotherapy needs have led to concerns about your treatment at work, speaking with a qualified employment lawyer can help you understand what options may be available based on your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Physiotherapy Time Off

Your health should not have to take a back seat because you are worried about missing work. If you need physiotherapy to recover from an injury, manage an ongoing condition, or get back to doing the activities you enjoy, the team at HealthMax Physiotherapy Clinics is here to support you. If questions about your treatment have turned into concerns about your employment, getting informed legal advice from Roberts & Obradovic Employment Law can help you understand your rights.

This blog was written in collaboration with Danijela Obradovic, Founding Partner at Roberts & Obradovic Employment Law. Danijela Obradovic is an employment lawyer who works with a wide range of clients, advising on wrongful dismissal, termination without cause, constructive dismissal, and severance negotiations. She is known for her practical, client-focused approach and her commitment to helping employees secure fair outcomes in workplace disputes.