Short answer
If you missed work for an emergency room (ER) visit but don’t have a doctor’s note, act quickly. Tell your employer what happened, request or gather alternative proof of the ER visit (discharge paperwork, billing, prescription, or lab/x-ray reports), and ask about available leave options. If you may qualify for job-protected leave, disability protections, or workers’ compensation, mention that when you communicate. If your employer refuses to accept reasonable documentation or threatens discipline, consider contacting a lawyer or the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development for guidance.
Detailed answer — What to do in Tennessee when you don’t have a doctor’s note after an ER visit
1. Communicate immediately and honestly with your employer
Tell your supervisor or HR as soon as you can. Explain that you had an ER visit and you are trying to get documentation. Many employers will accept a brief written note from you describing the date(s) missed and the reason while you obtain medical records. Keep your communication professional and document when and how you told them (email or text).
2. Obtain alternative medical documentation
If you don’t have a doctor’s note, the hospital or ER can provide other official records that usually satisfy an employer’s documentation requirement:
- ER discharge summary or visit summary (often called an after-visit summary)
- Records of tests, imaging, or lab results
- Prescription receipts or medication statements issued at discharge
- Hospital billing statements showing the date/time of service
- Electronic patient portal printouts that show the visit and date
Hospitals must provide copies of your medical records if you request them under federal HIPAA rules. See the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services on obtaining records: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/index.html.
3. Ask for a retroactive note or documentation
Contact the ER or the treating provider and request a retroactive note or a copy of the discharge summary. Most hospitals will provide documentation for a fee or through the patient portal. Explain to the provider that your employer requires written verification of the dates you were under care.
4. Consider leave protections that might apply
Federal laws may protect your job or require reasonable accommodation in certain situations:
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): If you work for a covered employer and meet eligibility rules (generally 12 months of employment and 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months for employers with 50+ employees), you may be entitled to unpaid, job‑protected leave for a serious health condition. Employers can require medical certification when you take FMLA. See the U.S. Department of Labor’s FMLA page: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): If your condition qualifies as a disability, your employer may need to provide reasonable accommodations (which could include flexible scheduling) unless it causes undue hardship. The EEOC provides information on the ADA: https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/americans-disabilities-act-1990.
- Workers’ compensation: If your ER visit was related to a work injury or workplace exposure, you should report it to your employer right away and may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under Tennessee law. Tennessee information on workers’ compensation: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/workers-compensation.html.
5. If your employer asks for a doctor’s note but you can’t get one quickly
Propose reasonable alternatives and a timeline:
- Provide the ER discharge summary or billing statement as temporary proof.
- Offer a date by which you will supply the formal note (for example, 3–7 business days).
- Request that the employer place the absence on hold or code it as medical leave while you obtain records.
6. Know your employer’s policies and Tennessee rules
Tennessee does not have a statewide law that requires private employers to provide paid sick leave. How an absence is treated often depends on your employer’s policies and any applicable federal protections (such as FMLA or ADA). Check your employee handbook and ask HR how medical absences are documented and whether alternatives are acceptable.
7. Preserve evidence of your efforts
Keep copies of all communications with the hospital and your employer, records requests, delivery confirmations, and any written notes you submit. These can be crucial if there’s a dispute later about discipline, discipline timing, or termination.
8. If an employer disciplines you unfairly
If you believe your employer is retaliating, discriminating, or violating federal leave or disability laws, consider contacting the appropriate agency or a Tennessee employment attorney. For wage or workplace complaints you can contact the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development: https://www.tn.gov/workforce.html. For possible FMLA or ADA violations, consult the U.S. Department of Labor or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
9. When to consult an attorney
Talk to an employment lawyer if:
- Your employer fires you or disciplines you after you provided ER documentation or while you were trying to get it
- Your employer refuses to accept hospital records but insists on a specific kind of note without explanation
- You believe your absence was related to a workplace injury and you were denied workers’ compensation
An attorney can explain your rights under Tennessee law and federal statutes and help you decide whether to file a claim.
Helpful Hints
- Ask for the ER after‑visit summary before you leave the hospital or request a copy through the patient portal — it often contains the date/time and diagnosis code.
- Get a receipt or billing statement from the hospital showing the date of service if you can’t get a clinical note immediately.
- Use email when communicating with HR so you have a timestamped record of what you reported and when.
- If you expect a longer recovery, ask HR about short‑term disability, PTO, or unpaid medical leave options.
- Be aware that an employer may have a reasonable requirement for documentation, but reasonable alternatives (billing, prescriptions, discharge summaries) are typically acceptable.
- If the ER visit was job-related, report it as a workplace injury immediately to protect your rights under Tennessee workers’ compensation rules: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/workers-compensation.html.
- Know your federal rights under FMLA and ADA; contact the U.S. Department of Labor for FMLA questions: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla.