To be so upset I’ve been denied leave to attend a funeral

[Purplehighlighters]

I’m quite shocked about this and really upset … not even sure why I’m posting but a bit stunned.

It's dependent on whose funeral, what job you do, and when it is.

I'm sorry for your loss

Nowhere near enough information to judge either way

It's shite we live in a world where we can't even attend funerals due to our job role. I wouldn't be working for a company who has a policy like that

@CovidCorvid

Are you a teacher? I know they're strict about funerals and only a limited list of who is considered close enough.

Not all schools. We would be allowed to go to any funeral at mine, they would never challenge that. It’s inhumane.

Pulling a sickie is a good way to get sacked.

There may well be a policy on which relatives are considered close enough. That assumes all families are the same, of course; if there are particular reasons your should be considered differently (eg your aunt brought you up) then you can try making the case.

The other thing to try is going to them with "X has said they are willing to cover my shift and I'm happy to take the day unpaid" (or for teaching, "X, Y and Z are happy to give up their non-contact time to cover my lessons so I can go"). Presented with a solution, they may be more willing to allow it.

I worked with someone a few years ago who was always attending funerals. it got to be a bit of a joke. The company was very large and with line managers changing all the time it was difficult to track this chap's various requests (and he seemed to attend one when he had a new line manager).

That's very harsh, if OP is upset that she has been denied leave she must be close to the person. It doesn't always have to be a "close" relative for it to have a big impact. Someone might not be too bothered if their dad died, but their "aunt" Sharon (who is actually the next door neighbour who was v good to them growing up and treated them like family) might be very upsetting.

Agree with others we need more details.

If it's a close relative, I'd hope that they would apply compassion.

If it's your next door neighbour from 10 years ago, you want Christmas Eve off and you work in retail - rather more reasonable to reject.

It is the funeral of a friend.

Teacher, can’t take annual leave.

Context please

Who's funeral?
Denied any leave? Or denied paid leave

We would be allowed to go to any funeral at mine, they would never challenge that. It’s inhumane.

It's not inhumane. Wait until you've got a colleague who has a funeral to attend every few weeks.

Some people almost treat attending funerals as a hobby.

Depends on the relationship and whether it's annual leave or compassionate leave as to whether it's unreasonable - most companies have a policy. If the job you do needs covering eg teacher, medical they can be pretty strict in applying it

@Purplehighlighters

It is the funeral of a friend.

Teacher, can’t take annual leave.

And they won't allow unpaid leave? When is the funeral?

@seventyminutes

It's shite we live in a world where we can't even attend funerals due to our job role. I wouldn't be working for a company who has a policy like that

So you'd be happy for your operation to be cancelled because the theatre nurse was at the funeral of her 2nd cousin? Or to have to use a day's annual leave because your CM was off?

Have they said why?

Eg is it because there's not enough notice to secure cover (especially with Covid rising meaning few supply teachers available)? Primary or secondary?

I mean if its primary and it's because they have no cover, what can they do? They can't send a class of 5 year olds home for the day.

@DeepaBeesKit

I mean if its primary and it's because they have no cover, what can they do? They can't send a class of 5 year olds home for the day.

They can get a cover teacher in or mix the classes for some Christmas activities.

My work only has special bereavement leave for very close relatives. After that is annual leave that needs to be used.

Seems a bit silly to me, if you were ill they'd have to find/organise cover, so why can't they find cover when they have notice?

Is it local - do you need a full day off or just a couple of hours? That could also make a difference.

God sorry didn’t read the update

That's awful OP. So sorry about your friend. It doesn't matter if it's a 'distant' relative - you can still be close to them. Who's to say OP wasn't closer to her friend than she might be to a sibling?

My mum was nearly denied leave to my nan's funeral (her MIL). She worked in a school too.

If they cant get a cover teacher in due to Covid (there is a huge shortage of them available)?

They can't "mix" the classes because there are laws about the ratios of children to teachers at primary level. You can't just put two classes under one teacher!!

@Purplehighlighters

It is the funeral of a friend.

Teacher, can’t take annual leave.

I'm with you OP The immediate family thing does include friends sometimes.

What's the policy on compassionate leave?

I feel for you

@fakereview

Seems a bit silly to me, if you were ill they'd have to find/organise cover, so why can't they find cover when they have notice?

Is it local - do you need a full day off or just a couple of hours? That could also make a difference.

Exactly.

if you were ill they'd have to find/organise cover, so why can't they find cover when they have notice?

This isnt true, my nephews school has had to send a class home because the teacher has Covid & they haven't been able to get cover.