Bereavement leave is a paid time off an employee gets from his employer due to the loss or death of a loved one. Also known as compassionate leave, the loved one in question is mostly a family relative or a loved one. The bereavement leave is given to enable the employee grief the death of his loved one, seeing that such loss can take an emotional toll on the employee.
While bereavement leave is not necessarily mandated by the law, companies take this step to let the employee know that they are standing by him/her in such trying times. So, this leave is a result of fair humanity to extend compassion to one another, and not because of a legal obligation. With this, the company is at its discretion to develop the bereavement leave policy as it best deems fit.
The bereavement leave policy instituted by the company is aimed at helping the employees understand what the bereavement leave is all about. It helps them know who is eligible for the leave, how to apply for the leave, when to apply for the leave, and also what to do when they do some more time off.
Therefore, a well-written bereavement policy will contain the following:
Eligibility for the leave: Contained in the bereavement leave policy of your organization as an HR professional should be the eligibility criteria for anyone who wants to apply for bereavement leave. Does the leave cover distant family members or only close family members? These are the criteria that should be spelt out in the policy.
Number of days: The policy should also specify the number of days given for the leave. This way, employees can know how to plan with those days to make the most of their time off.
How to apply: Employees should also know how they can apply for bereavement leave. The processes involved, and who their applications should be addressed to.
When to apply: The policy should state when employees can apply for the leave. If they must apply one month before, then it should also be well stated in the policy to enable them to act accordingly.
What to do if they need more time: In most cases, employees have to speak to their managers and get this sorted. In case employees have to do an additional form fill or apply for a different type of leave, mention that in your policy.
Support provided by the company: Some companies offer time off to the employee's colleagues to offer support during the recognition and remembering process. For example, a few employees may be allowed time off to attend the funeral when the immediate family member of a workmate is deceased.
Bereavement leave serves as a compassionate gesture that allows employees to cope with the emotional toll of losing a loved one. While not legally mandated, companies often provide this support to demonstrate empathy and stand by their employees during difficult times. Crafting a well-defined bereavement leave policy is essential for clarifying eligibility criteria, the number of days allotted, application processes, and additional support offered by the company. This policy not only helps employees understand their entitlements but also reflects the company's commitment to fostering a caring and supportive work environment.
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