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Original poster

Compassionate leave for a funeral.

27 replies

Ceannah · 12/09/2022 18:27

Hello.
A grandparent of mine passed last week. I went in everyday to work else I wouldn't get paid. I have requested a day of compassionate leave for the funeral but my manager thinks they are not a close enough relative to be granted it. I doubt it would be paid anyway as we don't get any company sick pay or anything. I have 2 days holiday allowance left which I was going to use for school hols but I guess I'll have to use that. Does anyone know the rules around compassionate leave please?

OP posts:
Starlightstarbright1 · 12/09/2022 18:31

If its decinedi would be looking for another job

toomuchfaster · 12/09/2022 18:37

There is no set rule, it will be in your contract or company policy.

Oopsilot · 12/09/2022 18:39

Do you have a company handbook? There isn’t a legal obligation for paid compassionate leave but a lot of companies do offer it, although some (mine) do only for very immediate family so spouse, parent, child or sibling.

There are currently no UK laws obliging employers to grant leave entitlement for death in the family, however many businesses do. Most allow three to five days for bereavement leave, according to the BBC, but this depends on what your contract or staff handbook states or your employer's discretion
www.funeralpartners.co.uk/help-advice/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/bereavement-and-compassionate-leave-in-the-uk/

CampRedLeaf · 12/09/2022 18:40

Look for another job OP.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 12/09/2022 18:42

Look at your company policy they should define who is considered to be a close relative.

Compassionate leave for a funeral.
RedDiamond · 12/09/2022 18:45

At our Company only parents, children and dependants are considered for when employees ask for compassionate leave. Other than that, they have to take any time off out of their annual leave.

Original poster
Ceannah · 12/09/2022 18:50

I've looked through my contract and nothing is said there about compassionate leave. Will contact head office.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceannah · 12/09/2022 18:51

Starlightstarbright1 · 12/09/2022 18:31

If its decinedi would be looking for another job

I adore my job but we get no perks at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceannah · 12/09/2022 18:53

toomuchfaster · 12/09/2022 18:37

There is no set rule, it will be in your contract or company policy.

Nothing in contract, will try and find out.

OP posts:
Mommabear20 · 12/09/2022 18:54

My job only give companionate leave for parents, siblings, spouses, and children. It's managers discretion if unpaid time off is given for any other relation or friend. think this is fairly standard practise.

Roselilly36 · 12/09/2022 18:59

So sorry for your loss, that would be appalling if your employer didn’t allow compassionate leave for the funeral. I hope your employer does the right thing.

FunsizedandFabulous · 12/09/2022 19:04

My husband took an annual leave day for his grandmother's funeral. He still feels the injustice because he loved her to bits.

Original poster
Ceannah · 12/09/2022 19:14

FunsizedandFabulous · 12/09/2022 19:04

My husband took an annual leave day for his grandmother's funeral. He still feels the injustice because he loved her to bits.

I think they should grant everyone a certain amount of compassionate leave days and they can use it for whoever they feel they need to. Someone may have no parents or partner but has an aunty that's like a mother to them for example.

OP posts:
KatyN · 12/09/2022 20:44

You can apply for unpaid leave. Then you don't have to use your holiday.but obviously you don't get paid!

Doorhandleghost · 12/09/2022 21:17

We make a judgment about compassionate leave, people have different relationships with different people in their lives. Our policy allows us to make that judgement. I consider our policy to be very generous compared to other places I've worked!

Unfortunately you're not automatically entitled to take the time off and it is up to your employer. If there is a policy then your manager is not being unfair to apply it although I totally understand it feels wrong when you're in the situation you're in.

Aprilx · 13/09/2022 08:29

Ceannah · 12/09/2022 19:14

I think they should grant everyone a certain amount of compassionate leave days and they can use it for whoever they feel they need to. Someone may have no parents or partner but has an aunty that's like a mother to them for example.

Show quote history

I think an employer that doesn’t allow leave for a close relatives funeral is quite mean and not an employer I would like. But there is no legal right to compassionate leave, there are no rules, just internal company policy. Unfortunately if your company is ungenerous in their policies then I doubt you will find much to help you. I would take the annual leave for it.

vivainsomnia · 13/09/2022 12:11

If you were raised by a grand parent for instance, I think you can make a case that they acted as a parent. It then becomes a case of at the discretion of the manager.

whatisforteamum · 14/09/2022 07:43

My workplace is close relatives,siblings parents other half.
Sorry for your loss.

Chewbecca · 14/09/2022 18:24

There’s no fixed criteria in my workplace, it’s manager’s discretion & I would absolutely allow this (as long as you were not a piss taker).

Original poster
Ceannah · 14/09/2022 18:47

Just to say they said yes and then changed their mind and decided I couldn't as not a parent, sibling or child. I can take it unpaid or use a days hol.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceannah · 14/09/2022 19:24

Chewbecca · 14/09/2022 18:24

There’s no fixed criteria in my workplace, it’s manager’s discretion & I would absolutely allow this (as long as you were not a piss taker).

I've had one sick day in 3.5 years. Cover extra shifts, very flexible and they've said no....

OP posts:
PeloFondo · 14/09/2022 19:25

That's shit
I had compassionate leave for my cousin (day I found out and day of funeral)
I also had 3 days paid leave when my horse died. Anyone with pets knows how awful it is and I was a wreck

Original poster
Ceannah · 14/09/2022 19:29

PeloFondo · 14/09/2022 19:25

That's shit
I had compassionate leave for my cousin (day I found out and day of funeral)
I also had 3 days paid leave when my horse died. Anyone with pets knows how awful it is and I was a wreck

I got the call a about midnight and was in at 8 the next day as I couldn't afford to lose any money :-( I could have done with a couple days off.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceannah · 14/09/2022 19:30

PeloFondo · 14/09/2022 19:25

That's shit
I had compassionate leave for my cousin (day I found out and day of funeral)
I also had 3 days paid leave when my horse died. Anyone with pets knows how awful it is and I was a wreck

Want a lovely thing for them to do and I totally agree about animals, I feel the same X

OP posts:
Blanketpolicy · 14/09/2022 20:10

Fairly standard to use annual leave for the funeral if anyone other than immediate family.

Ours will sometimes allow TOIL. If you need the days for school holidays could you ask if you can take it as unpaid leave?