I have a friend who was hurt in an accident. Her doctor has issued her a doctors note informing her employer of her limits at work. Her employer has issued her an unpaid leave of absence, until her doctor releases her back to work. The job her doctor did say she can do are computer and paper work. We are photographers, so the doctor has said she can not take pictures. During the holidays and busy seasons they hire people to do just sales and paper work. She had a note already limiting her camera work, which the company was fine with. Since the doctor issued the no camera work the gave her an unpaid leave. They say no doctors notes will be accepted at any time. Even if we are dying. I say this is a bit extreme. Can company's decline her doctors notes? And can they give her an unpaid leave because of them?
She is located in California.

If an employee has a note restricting her ability to work, an employer can try to accommodate her but accommodation doesn't mean going to the point of creating a job. If this is the busy time of the year and the employer does not have any admin only positions, it doesn't have to create one if it is too difficult on the business.

Let me know if you have any other questions.