What is Bereavement?A bereavement policy is a company¿s practice to allow employees to take either paid or unpaid time off when a death occurs in an employee¿s immediate family. This allows the employee time to make funeral arrangements, attend the funeral and burial, pay respects to his/her family and deal with the deceased¿s possessions and will, plus other ancillary matters to be addressed when a loved one passes. Which Family Members are Part of the Immediate Family?Bereavement leave is generally granted for the deaths of these immediate family members: Can Bereavement Leave Be Taken When There is a Death of a Non-Family Member? Bereavement leave can also be applied to the death off a non-family member family. However, full-time employees may take up to 1 day off with pay to attend the funeral of a close, non-family member, and the time off will be considered by the employer based on circumstances. As for part-time employees, if the funeral occurs on a scheduled work day, the pay for time off will be prorated at the employer¿s discretion. What About Additional Time Off? Because the impact felt from the death of someone close can run very deep, some companies grant additional non-paid time off to employees. Employees should make arrangements with their supervisors for any additional days off depending on the circumstances. Should I Seek Legal Assistance if I Need Help With Bereavement Leave? Because the realm of employment law is vast and varies among companies, seeking the advice of an employment lawyer can be a wise choice. An experienced lawyer can review your employment contract and advise you of your rights. |
