Bereavement Compensation

 

Employees who wish to take time off due to the death of a family member should contact their supervisor immediately. Bereavement pay is calculated based on the employee's straight-time pay times the number of hours the employee would otherwise have worked at the time of absence.

All eligible employees may receive up to a five (5) day leave with full pay for the death of the employee's spouse and natural, adopted or step child.

All eligible employees may receive up to a three (3) day leave with full pay for the death of the employee's father, mother, sister, brother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, step-parent, or any member of the employee's household for whom the employee is responsible.

All eligible employees may receive up to a one (1) day leave with full pay, to be deducted from the employee's sick compensation account, for the death of the employee's brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, or when requested to be a pall bearer, or when requested to be a participant in a military funeral. Pay for any combination of those listed in this category is limited to three (3) days maximum per calendar year.

Additional leave time, which shall be deducted from the employee's sick leave account, may be granted for those categories listed above with prior approval of the department head. If time is needed for deaths of others not listed, the employee may request supervisor approval to use personal holiday or vacation time.

Bereavement leave is for the purpose of attending the funeral and wake, traveling to/from the funeral and wake, direct responsibility for making arrangements for the funeral, or for post funeral activity. The leave must be completed within five (5) working days of the death, funeral, or memorial service. The days may be used in two (2) intervals, if necessary, for the purpose of these activities. Paid time off for bereavement leave will not be counted as hours worked for the purposes of determining overtime.

Employees may be required to furnish verification of the date of death, date of funeral, and the relationship of the deceased.