Learning to manage

Bereavement is unavoidable and as horrible as it may be, it is an important fact of life to acknowledge and actively understand within every workplace. Maintaining a work/life balance during such a delicate period can be extremely difficult, but what are your rights, and what level of support can you expect from your employer in these circumstances?

Bereavement Law

While matters surrounding compassionate or bereavement leave are not specifically defined within UK employment law (outside of statutory parental bereavement leave), the Employment Rights Act of 1996 does state that employees have the right to take ‘a reasonable amount of time’ off of work to handle emergencies or issues relating to ‘dependents.’ This could be to provide care for the sick or, of course, to plan or attend the funeral of a ‘dependent’, such as a spouse or civil partner, a child, a parent, or any person who is reliant upon your physical care.