bereavement pay laws
Posted by admin - 06/02/09 at 11:02 ambereavement pay laws
“It’s Always Free to Ask: On Bereavement Pay Laws”
Bereavement pay is referred to as the payment an employee is entitled when he or she takes time off work upon the death of a family member.
Employers are not bound by Federal law to provide bereavement leave whether paid or not. The length of bereavement leave, that is, the number of days to which an employee is entitled is entirely optional on the part of the employer. They also set the terms and conditions whether what family members are eligible.
Consequently, bereavement pay laws vary depending on the company’s policies or the state where you are working.
Usually a regular, full-time employee is entitled to one to three days paid leave upon the death of a close and immediate family member. “Immediate” family usually includes spouse, parent, grandparent, child, parents-in-law and siblings. But in a case where death is not covered by the list of defined relationships, depending on bereavement pay laws the company implements, some employers still grant bereavement paid leaves.
Some companies also do consider the length of time of employment when granting such benefit, e.g. some employers require that employees have at least one year of employment.
While most companies will understand the impact of loss to an individual and be glad to offer a paid bereavement leave, some will not. Some employers don’t even consider offering unpaid time off work.
Bereavement pay laws and other guidelines regarding your benefits are usually outlined in the employee’s handbook or company profile or manual, and it’s always free to ask. Learning and understanding all you can about bereavement pay and leave might save you worry and regret.
