is it possible to be signed off following a bereavement?

[thereinmadnesslies]

My mum died unexpectedly on Thursday. I'm all over the place. I'm worrying because I have no idea what I'm supposed to do about work. I work full time in a really intense, pressured job that needs lots of attention to detail. We can't organise the funeral yet because there is going to be a post mortem, so I feel in limbo there. There is a lot of stuff to sort out with the estate and I'm trying to deal with my DC who are emotionally all over the place too. I don't think i would cope right now.

I just checked the staff handbook and it says bereavement leave is at the department's discretion and doesn't specify number of days and pay, which doesn't actually help much. But I have a vague idea that the standard is 5 days, but that seems like no time at all.

Is it possible to ask the GP to sign me off? How do I ask? And is there a standard length of time that doesn't make me look totally crap at work but gives me a bit of headspace?

[WorriedOrStressed]

So sorry to read of your loss OP

Can you speak to your line manager on Monday to explain and see what they suggest? Bereavement leave where I work is 5 days but can be extended through management discretion.

Dependent on answer, you can see your GP or leave it for a week or so.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

I had six weeks in total when my dad died, two of those I was caring for him at home as he died and then another 4 weeks off after. Was signed off with stress. I just said to the gP that I didn't think I could cope with work yet (was a total mess and couldn't stop crying).

Sorry about your mum. Take care of yourself.

[Essexgirlupnorth]

My mum passed away from cancer six weeks go. I got a weeks compassionate leave (NHS) and then could have a week unpaid. I did get signed of by the GP for two weeks as was going to go back to work after 10 days but just couldn't face it. GP was fine with it just called and said I needed some time off. You can self certify for a week sick leave too.
Sorry for your loss, there is so much to sort out too and is hard if you can't arrange the funeral.

[MummyBex1985]

I'm sorry for your loss. It must have been a huge shock.

I lost my DM suddenly too, in December. Work gave me three weeks or so as paid leave, then I had annual leave over Christmas. Lasted a week and got signed off, but I was suffering from severe anxiety and depression which rendered me incapable of working (also a high pressure job where you really need to be functioning 100%).

Our policy is 5 days but I got three weeks - maybe your employer will do the same. If not, GPs will usually be okay with signing you off with a "bereavement reaction" - a week is nothing. It took me two months to function again.

take gentle care.

[doubleginplease]

yes of course you can. They will put 'bereavement reaction' or 'stress'. I'm a HR person for a large company and it happens all the time.

[bettybyebye]

So sorry op

My mum died suddenly 2 years ago. My work gives 5 days bereavement leave but I ended up having 6 weeks off in total as I simply was not ready to go back any earlier than that. GP was happy to sign me off.

Please do not rush back, work is an extra stress that you don't need right now. Take some time to grieve. A colleague of mine was back in work 2 weeks after her mum passed away and she says she regrets it now as she wasn't ready.