AIBU to think one day’s leave for a far-away funeral is harsh?

[fairypowers]

My mother in law recently passed away after a long period of illness. I was very fond of her. She lived around a 7 hour journey from where I live and work.

My work compassionate leave policy does not extend to in-laws. I emailed my manager to flag that I would need to travel up for a funeral soon and it’s a 7 hour journey - to which I was (politely) told that policy is that I’m entitled to one day leave for the funeral itself and any other time away from my desk needs to come from my holiday allowance.

AIBU to think that’s pretty harsh?

What? Why didn’t you just take them out of school unauthorised?

I can’t believe you would just accept that.

After the initial day off to attend a funeral, isn’t anything extra, annual leave?

Staff are just shit now, they expect to swan in and out as and when they feel like it and not to be productive when there…

You were lucky. Unfortunately, many employers have harsh bereavement policies. The father of a girl I work with passed away suddenly and unexpectedly and our shitty manager only gave her 1 day's leave (unpaid), even though the flight home was 24hours! How these companies expect loyalty and commitment after behaving this way is beyond me.

Well you can have the time off and it will be paid. It just comes out of your holiday allowance.

I don’t think you have any grounds for complaint. If you don’t want to use annual leave to attend the funeral, don’t go.

Annual leave is suitable for this. AL is for more other things than holidays.

That is a completely different issue to giving appropriate compassionate leave

Absolutely this. I heard on a lunchtime that my uncle had died and that I would have to go and tell my mum about her favourite brother. I asked to miss a senior staff meeting from 3.30 to 5.30 and my boss told me to leave then and there if I needed to. I didn't but I did go at 3.30. Compassion goes a long way. I more than put the hours in at work and she recognises that.
OP, it's hard but I think one day is the norm. DD1 had a similar journey for her grandfather's funeral earlier this year. She had one day compassionate leave and an annual leave day. We were thankful that the funeral was at the end of the week so that the weekend was tagged onto that.

I left my job at the supermarket due to the bullying manager in Oct 2024.

About 6 weeks later, a colleague lost her brother and the funeral was Dec 23rd. The bully refused to have the funeral time off. As it is the busiest day of the year. She managed to get the time off by asking the store manager of the larger store. Otherwise it was 2nd Jan

She only worked 3 days a week and her next scheduled shift was 28th Dec. Handed in her notice in. Making her the 10th colleague to hand in notice in since end of May when the first notice was handed. All due to his bullying

My place of work would give me time off for a funeral I wanted to attend. I have recently been to a colleague's parent's funeral. My husband has attended a colleague's brother's funeral. His boss actually emailed to say anyone who wanted to attend could. I have been to my mum's cousin's husband's funeral. I work in a decent place though.