Bereavement Leave Policy

Company Letterhead

{{company_name}}

{{company_address}}

Phone: {{phone}}

Email: {{email}}

Website: {{website}}

Bereavement Leave Policy

**Policy Number:** {{policy_number}}

**Effective Date:** {{effective_date}}

**Review Date:** {{review_date}}

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide employees with paid leave to mourn the loss of a close family member and attend to associated arrangements. {{company_name}} recognizes the emotional and practical difficulties associated with bereavement and aims to support its employees during such challenging times.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all permanent and fixed-term employees of {{company_name}} who have completed their probationary period. Contract and temporary staff may be subject to different terms as outlined in their respective agreements.

3. Definitions of Close Family Member

For the purpose of this policy, a ‘close family member’ is defined as:

- Spouse/Partner (legal or de facto)

- Child (biological, adopted, step-child, or foster child)

- Parent (biological, adoptive, step-parent, or foster parent)

- Sibling (biological, adopted, step-sibling, or half-sibling)

- Grandparent

- Grandchild

- Parent-in-law

4. Bereavement Leave Entitlement

Employees are entitled to the following paid bereavement leave:

- **{{number_of_days_spouse_child_parent}}** working days for the death of a spouse/partner, child, or parent.

- **{{number_of_days_sibling_grandparent_grandchild}}** working days for the death of a sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or parent-in-law.

Additional unpaid leave may be granted at the discretion of management, subject to operational requirements.

Bereavement leave must be taken consecutively unless otherwise agreed with management.

5. Requesting Bereavement Leave

Employees must notify their immediate manager or the Human Resources Department as soon as reasonably practicable of their need for bereavement leave, stating the relationship to the deceased and the expected duration of absence. While formal documentation may not be required immediately, the company reserves the right to request reasonable evidence (e.g., death certificate, obituary notice) at a later stage.

6. Interaction with Other Leave Types

Bereavement leave is distinct from annual leave, sick leave, or any other form of leave. It will not be deducted from an employee's annual leave entitlement.

Should an employee fall ill during bereavement leave, the illness will be treated as ordinary sick leave, subject to normal sick leave procedures and medical certification requirements.

7. Confidentiality

All information regarding an employee's bereavement leave will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality, in accordance with the company's data protection policies.

8. Management Discretion

In exceptional circumstances not covered by this policy, management reserves the right to exercise discretion in granting additional leave or making alternative arrangements, always considering the well-being of the employee and the operational needs of the company.

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically, at least every {{review_period_years}} years, or as necessitated by changes in legislation or company circumstances.

Signature Block

_____________________________

**{{approving_manager_name}}**

**{{approving_manager_title}}**

**{{company_name}}**

**Date:** {{approval_date}}