You drag yourself to work, snap at people you care about and lie awake going over tomorrow's to-do list. Maybe you have started to wonder if you need time off, but you're not sure how it works or what to say to your boss. Taking stress leave in Ontario is more common than you might think. Knowing the steps can make it feel much less scary. This guide explains how stress leave works, what paperwork is usually involved and how counselling can support you before, during and after.
A quick note: this article gives general information, not legal or financial advice. Your exact options depend on your job, your workplace benefits and your situation.
What "stress leave" actually means
"Stress leave" is not a legal term. It is an everyday way to describe time off work when your mental health makes it hard to do your job. That might be due to burnout, anxiety, depression, trauma or a mix of things.
In practice, stress leave is usually a form of medical or sick leave. Whether it is paid, and by whom, depends on the program that covers it.
Signs it might be time to step back
Everyone has hard weeks. Stress leave is worth thinking about when the strain has gone on for a while and is affecting your health. Common signs include:
Feeling exhausted even after a full night of sleep, or not being able to sleep at all
Dreading work every day, sometimes with a racing heart or stomach aches
Struggling to focus, remember things or make simple decisions
Crying often, feeling numb or feeling hopeless
Getting sick more often, or having headaches and tight muscles
Using alcohol, food or scrolling to get through the evening
If you are having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, reach out for help right away. Call or text 9-8-8 any time.
Step 1, talk to a health professional
The first step is usually to see a health professional who can assess how you are doing. This might be your family doctor, a nurse practitioner, a psychologist or a therapist.
They can help you decide whether time off makes sense and how long you might need. Most leave programs ask for some kind of medical note or form. Bring any forms your employer or insurer has given you. Our clinicians can complete or contribute to stress-leave and disability forms, where appropriate.
How to get ready for that appointment
When you are worn out, it is easy to forget what you meant to say. A few notes can help. Before your visit, jot down:
What has changed, like sleep, mood, focus or appetite, and when it started
What is happening at work that feels hardest
How it is affecting your home life and relationships
What you have already tried
Any forms, deadlines or contact names from work or your insurer
You don't need perfect answers. Being honest about how hard things have been helps your care provider understand what you need.
Step 2, find out what your workplace offers
Next, look at what is available through your job. Your human resources department, union or benefits booklet can tell you what applies. Common options in Ontario include:
Paid sick days from your employer, if your workplace offers them
Short-term disability (STD) benefits, often through a group insurance plan, which may replace part of your pay
Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits, a federal program that can pay up to 26 weeks if you qualify
Ontario's job-protected sick leave, which gives most employees 3 unpaid days a year under the Employment Standards Act
Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which may offer a few free counselling sessions
For EI sickness benefits, you generally need enough insured work hours and a medical certificate. Service Canada lists who can sign it, including medical doctors, nurse practitioners and psychologists.
Step 3, tell your employer
You don’t have to share your diagnosis with your boss. In general, your employer is entitled to know that you need time off for a health reason, how long you may be away and what limits you may have when you return. They are generally not entitled to your diagnosis or your therapy notes.
Keep it simple. You might say, “I have a health issue and my care provider has advised me to take some time off. I’ll send the paperwork as soon as I have it.” Put it in writing if you can and keep copies of everything you send.
Step 4, if work caused it, ask about WSIB
If your mental health injury was mainly caused by something at work, you may be able to make a claim with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). WSIB covers chronic mental stress when a diagnosed condition is mainly caused by a major stressor at work, such as harassment. It also covers traumatic mental stress after a sudden, shocking event at work.
WSIB claims have their own rules. Normal decisions by your employer, like changes to your duties or discipline, are generally not covered.
Transformation Counselling is a contracted provider in WSIB’s mental health program of care, and we are accepting new WSIB referrals. We also direct bill WSIB. See our direct billing page for other plans we bill.
Making the most of your time off
Stress leave works best when it is used for recovery, not just rest. Sleeping in for a week can help, but the problems that led to the leave are usually still waiting when you go back.
Many people use leave to:
• Rebuild basic routines, like sleep, meals and movement
Start counselling to understand what drained them and what needs to change
• Learn skills for anxiety, low mood or constant worry
Look at boundaries, workload and the kind of work life they want
• Reconnect with people and activities that were pushed aside
Counselling can help you sort through all of this. Learn more about our therapy for stress and burnout.
Planning your return to work
Going back can bring up a lot of worry. Will people ask questions? Will the same pressure be waiting? A gradual, planned return often works better than jumping back in full time.
A return-to-work plan might include shorter days, fewer duties at first or changes that reduce the strain that led to the leave. With your written consent, your therapist can take part in return-to-work talks with your employer or insurer. You decide what is shared.
Frequently asked questions
Can a therapist put me on stress leave?
A therapist can assess how you are doing and complete or contribute to forms, depending on their profession and what the program requires. Some programs, like EI sickness benefits, have a set list of professionals who can sign.
How long does stress leave last?
It depends on your health and the program covering it. Some people need a couple of weeks. Others need longer. Your care provider will help you decide.
Can I be fired for taking stress leave?
Ontario law offers protections for employees who need time off for health reasons. If you are worried, talk to your union, an employment lawyer or a legal clinic about your rights.
Will my coworkers find out why I am off?
Not from your care provider. Your health information is private. Your employer does not need to tell coworkers why you are away. You can decide what, if anything, to tell coworkers. A simple “I’m taking some time for my health” is enough.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to start counselling?
No. You can book directly with us. We offer sessions in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and Ottawa, and online across Ontario, including evenings and weekends.
You deserve a break before you break
Asking for time off is not weakness. It is a way of protecting your health so you can keep going in the long run. Book a free 15-minute consultation with our care team to talk about support, or book an appointment to get started.