The effect of various work patterns
Most people are entitled to bereavement leave whether they are full or part-time, permanent or fixed-term employees, providing that they have completed six months’ continuous service.
The Act also provides bereavement leave entitlements after six months to employees whose employment is not continuous if they have worked for the employer for:
- an average of at least 10 hours per week, including
- at least one hour per week or 40 hours per month.
Employees on a series of fixed-term agreements, or employees sometimes described as “casual”, would become entitled to bereavement leave if they met this test.
The payment for bereavement leave would be made where it is a day the employee would otherwise have worked and would be made at the employee’s relevant daily pay or average daily pay (where applicable).
The entitlement to bereavement leave is subject to the same test each 12 months. If in any year the work pattern does not meet the above test, bereavement leave entitlement ceases. However, the employee may requalify on the basis of six months’ service.
