How long is acceptable to be off work

[shortsout]

After losing a grandparent?

1 day for the funeral, or if you are the only relative and have the responsibility of registering death, dealing with undertakers, etc, then maybe an extra day.
Or if it was a close grandparent, who was about to die, and you wanted to be there, then another die at that point.
So the answer is, that it depends on the circumstances.
In some instances one can be very close to a GP, and may not be able to do one's work properly.

I too was only allowed 1 day when my dad died. We aren't allowed anything for grandparents.

My work is up to three days compassionate leave and that would extend to a grandparent but it's a limit, not a target. Circumstances vary and managers have some discretion, for example of the grandparent had raised the employee in lieu of a parent.

I would advise that if the bereaved is so affected their mental health detrimentally affected, they go to their doctor to be signed off for bereavement or non work related stress. That will obviously involve other triggers vis a vis ill-health capability but may necessary.

It's a difficult line between those who are genuinely and severely affected and those who take the tiddle in all and every circumstance.

That sounds reasonable. When my brother died I didn't go in for a week (5 days).

My manager did suggest I don't come in for another week but I did, which I did regret later.

I was closer to my grandad than my dad. I had 3 days off and 1 for th funeral.

I took one day TOIL (Monday) after losing my grandmother on the Sunday. This was due to the initial shock and feeling physically unwell due to that. Plus 1 paid day for the funeral.

She was closer to me than anyone but I wanted to keep busy, I knew I’d feel worse without something to occupy my mind. I understand taking time off if you’re in charge of funeral planning, registering the death etc but otherwise I think taking lots of time off can make things harder.

we don't get anything, I'm not even sure we get time off for the funeral of a grandparent. One of my colleagues had a couple of weeks off when his gran died but he lived with her, was her main career and next of kin to arrange funeral, sort out estate etc.

It depends how much in grief you are and whether your grief effects your ability to work, like illness. I can turn up to work if you don't mind me suddenly sobbing during a meeting?

I had two days for the funeral as had to travel. My boss also said I could take the day it occurred off but I preferred to work as welcomed the distraction, and couldn't do anything to help my mum from where I was.

For a grandparent I'd say just the day of the funeral, although some of the places I've worked didnt even allow thst. No legal obligation for them to give you any compassionate leave, unless its a " close" family member.

compassionate leave ends of crossing over into sick leave really. If you are too grief stricken to work then mentally you are sick. I think most people are very upset when a grandparent dies but usually grandparents are older in this circumstance and their death is not unexpected. In think usually a couple of days would be reasonable and then they would need to use PTO. It depends on the person’s relationship with their grandparent more than anything.

Teacher: one day unpaid leave for the funeral.

I do believe HR law states 5 working days when it is the death of an immediate relative but up to ten working days if the death is in another country and travel/funeral arrangements have to be accommodated for.

For the period of time that has been taken off, I would say that’s reasonable

When my mum's sister died I think she took 2 days, 1 day to go and see her the day before she died and 1 day for the funeral. It hit my mum very hard but it's just the way things were then. She now runs her own business and only took a couple of days when her mum died as well.

I thought our policy was pretty generous and is more than most companies I know. 3 days paid for immediate family member as I previously stated (including in laws) and it will be increased to a further 2 days unpaid in April.

Which HR law? It's certainly not applicable in most workplaces.

It's also possible that his boss just wants to check in with him and see if he's ok?

My manager did that, I would think less of a manager who doesn't do this.

There is currently no legal entitlement at all unless it is for your child under 18. This is changing in 2027 and there will be an entitlement to up to 5 days unpaid.

A few days I'd say plus the day of the funeral, unless you were "super-close", i.e. if you'd been brought up by the grandparent instead of your own parent.

Friday was reasonable. And a day for the funeral, but taking the Monday off as well? Unless there are extenuating circumstances, it looks like he just had a nice long weekend.

The NHS has a blanket policy which applies to all staff i assume your line manager was signed off sick?

Yes, I'm thinking the same. Probably just a wellbeing check.

Day of death/leading up to death as I was with them when they deteriorated. I then the day after (after being up all night with them) and then the day of the funeral.
i work shifts so if I was off I went to the funeral directors, other times I had to work and my sis spoke on behalf of me.

Thinking back - for the same grandparent my cousin (teacher) had to beg just for one day off to go the funeral, but my DH asked for the day as a/l and was told he could take it as compassionate leave even though it wasn't his gp (he only told them it was a funeral so they'd definitely let him take it)!

For a grandparent: none. We would be given one day for the funeral as compassionate leave.

5 days if you are organising the funeral. 1 day special leave paid if you are not and another one for the funeral.