Bereavement leave
Entitlement
There are two separate entitlements to bereavement leave after six months’ employment:
- On the death of an immediate family member, the Act provides for up to three days’ paid leave. This can be taken at any time and for any purpose genuinely relating to the death. “Immediate family members” are the employee’s spouse or partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild or the spouse’s parent. Where there is more than one bereavement, the employee is entitled to three days’ bereavement leave in respect of each death.
- In the event of a death outside the immediate family that causes a person to suffer bereavement, up to one day’s paid leave may be taken if the employer accepts that the employee has suffered bereavement. In considering whether a bereavement has occurred, the employer should take into consideration:
- how close the association was between the employee and the other person
- whether the employee is responsible for any aspects of the ceremonies around the death
- whether the employee has any cultural responsibilities they need to fulfil in respect of the death.
