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Original poster

I need time off for a funeral but work wont give it to me?

29 replies

hll0914 · 29/12/2017 18:44

Both my grandparents died within a week of eachother and whilst work were more than happy to allow me to have my Grandfathers funeral off work they don't want to let me have my Grandmothers funeral off?
The employee handbook states "Extended family, one day off paid for the funeral (which can be increased to up to one week with manager discretion)." and the handbook defines "Extended Family" as "Grandparent, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, close
friends". My work place is claiming that because my Grandmother & Grandfather weren't married my Grandmother "isn't my real grandmother therefore I don't need to go to the funeral" actual quote there Angry
The trouble is, she isn't actually my blood grandmother, my blood grandmother died several years ago and this lady was my grandfathers new partner, who I treated like a grandmother.

I'm not a member of the union, what can I do? The funeral is in 3 days and so far I don't have permission to go!

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 29/12/2017 18:46

Ask for unpaid leave

Then go to personal department or email the top boss

SandSnakeofDorne · 29/12/2017 18:46

Is close friends definitely in the handbook? If so I’d have thought you could claim the day under that.

User5trillion · 29/12/2017 18:46

Take a days leave, thats what holiday is for. My company wouldnt give me compassionate leave for a grand parent, only a parent.

BIWI · 29/12/2017 18:46

There's a terrible norovirus going around at the moment ...

insancerre · 29/12/2017 18:46

You sadly don't have the legal right to the time off
You could ring in sick but you risk being disciplined for it

SandSnakeofDorne · 29/12/2017 18:46

Or take normal or unpaid leave.

Original poster
hll0914 · 29/12/2017 18:49

The handbook states exactly what I wrote, copied it directly from our online employee portal with all the information. The company I work for allows one day off on full pay for extended family providing it is to attend the funeral, which it is.

OP posts:
Pseudousername · 29/12/2017 18:49

Your contract is clear on this. So just take a day off as AL. Either they meant enough to you to give up a day's hol or they didn't - in which case go to work.

StrawBasket · 29/12/2017 18:50

Too late now, but how on earth do they know it's not your blood grandmother?

StealthPolarBear · 29/12/2017 18:50

I'm so sorry :(
As others have said, how about leave?

Original poster
hll0914 · 29/12/2017 18:50

I tried asking for holiday but I have to "give 6 weeks notice for holidays" It's literally only a 5 hour shift, I don't see what the massive problem is. If it states it in the handbook that that is what I'm entitled to they should be willing to give it. It's not like I'm lying, I can provide death certificates for both family members

OP posts:
DoculamentDoculament · 29/12/2017 18:50

My workplace would give it for a Step-parent but not Step-Grandparent. Ask to take it as leave. You were unreasonable expecting to be paid for the day.

StealthPolarBear · 29/12/2017 18:51

I think you need to email someone senior asking that in the circumstances they waive the need for notice

NapQueen · 29/12/2017 18:51

Can you find someone to swap with?

DoculamentDoculament · 29/12/2017 18:52

She wasn't your Grandmother though. You felt as if she was and treated her as if she was but she wasn't so I'm not sure why you think the handbook is backing you up.

Original poster
hll0914 · 29/12/2017 18:53

StrawBasket, sorry might have not typed that properly. They know about her not being a blood relative because my manager knew that my mothers mother had already passed away, however they were aware of my grandads new partner

OP posts:
Pseudousername · 29/12/2017 18:53

Just talk to them. Explain the situation and that you are willing to take it as AL or unpaid. If they come back with a no - with no justification - then yes they're unreasonable.

Original poster
hll0914 · 29/12/2017 18:54

Just to clarify, I'm NOT expecting to be paid, I'm just expecting to be able to attend the funeral of someone I care about. Im only contracted to work 11.5 hours a week and next week I'm doing 30 so why dropping 5 hours is such a big deal I don't know

OP posts:
JaneEyre70 · 29/12/2017 18:54

I'm sorry for your loss, but can see why your workplace have taken a stand on this. Use your annual leave.

nancy75 · 29/12/2017 18:55

How on earth do they know if your grandparents were married or not?

CotswoldStrife · 29/12/2017 18:56

I would work on getting AL at short notice and not try and get the day off as a grandparent.

GreenTulips · 29/12/2017 18:56

But PIL aren't blood relatives either, same with step children. But you'd expect time off for that

Their marital status is irrelevant

Email higher up for a days holiday

StrawBasket · 29/12/2017 18:57

Then it's tricky, because it could make it look like you already had a day off for the funeral of your actual blood relative.

Have they refused unpaid leave?

AfterSchoolWorry · 29/12/2017 18:58

Can you take unpaid leave?

Sorry for your losses 🌹🌹

BakedBeans47 · 29/12/2017 18:58

Tell them that although it might not fall under their policy for paid leave that you won’t be in and will take it either as unpaid leave or holiday.