Compassionate Leave Question
Discussion
I'm permanently employed and recently took time off for compassionate leave purposes.
I took 8 working days off while my terminally ill immediate relative was hospitalised, deteriorated and transferred to a hospice where he passed away.
The absence happened at short notice. These things do. However, I had informed my manager over the last year of the situation and again recently knowing my relative's condition had deteriorated. Knowing the relative's passing was imminent on the day before the start of 8 day absence I had inquired about the compassionate leave policy. Nobody got back to me.
Over the 8 days I was not at work, I endeavoured to work from home, responding to e-mails, fielding questions but towards the end this became impossible whilst managing visits, dealing with health visitors, care workers, the hospice, equipment providers etc. I stayed in contact with my manager where I could and was informed compassionate leave was at managers discretion. So I assumed all was ok
Immediately following the passing I returned to work for 3 days informing them of the dates of the funeral and preparation required before hand. Another 4 days would be required. I was told given previous absense that after this 4 days no further absence would be allowed. Any further absence after the 4 days would have to be taken as either unpaid leave or holiday.
I have since returned to work after the 4 days absence to sort the funeral. I have been told by my manager that I must consider taking some of the original 8 days absence as either holiday or unpaid leave. This was not communicated to me at the time. Does this sound fair or should this information have been communicated to me more clearly so I could have made a more informed decision to continue working and consulting another relative to help during those 8 days?
I took 8 working days off while my terminally ill immediate relative was hospitalised, deteriorated and transferred to a hospice where he passed away.
The absence happened at short notice. These things do. However, I had informed my manager over the last year of the situation and again recently knowing my relative's condition had deteriorated. Knowing the relative's passing was imminent on the day before the start of 8 day absence I had inquired about the compassionate leave policy. Nobody got back to me.
Over the 8 days I was not at work, I endeavoured to work from home, responding to e-mails, fielding questions but towards the end this became impossible whilst managing visits, dealing with health visitors, care workers, the hospice, equipment providers etc. I stayed in contact with my manager where I could and was informed compassionate leave was at managers discretion. So I assumed all was ok
Immediately following the passing I returned to work for 3 days informing them of the dates of the funeral and preparation required before hand. Another 4 days would be required. I was told given previous absense that after this 4 days no further absence would be allowed. Any further absence after the 4 days would have to be taken as either unpaid leave or holiday.
I have since returned to work after the 4 days absence to sort the funeral. I have been told by my manager that I must consider taking some of the original 8 days absence as either holiday or unpaid leave. This was not communicated to me at the time. Does this sound fair or should this information have been communicated to me more clearly so I could have made a more informed decision to continue working and consulting another relative to help during those 8 days?
A total of 12 days compassionate leave is excessive.
As stated previously, it does not take four days to arrange a funeral. Further, I would dispute the need to take 8 days off prior to the death.
Fine, take to odd day or leave early if you need to be at the hospital to arrange transfer to hospice, but you do not need to be at home at other times.
You also don't state how close this relative was. Anything less than immediate family (husband/wife/child/mother/father) would warrant no more than two days in total in my opinion. You should consider yourself lucky you are not facing a disciplinary for unauthorised absence.
ETA: Just seen that it was one of your parents. Sorry for your loss. I suspect this is why you are being dealt with leniently and not facing disciplinary action.
As stated previously, it does not take four days to arrange a funeral. Further, I would dispute the need to take 8 days off prior to the death.
Fine, take to odd day or leave early if you need to be at the hospital to arrange transfer to hospice, but you do not need to be at home at other times.
You also don't state how close this relative was. Anything less than immediate family (husband/wife/child/mother/father) would warrant no more than two days in total in my opinion. You should consider yourself lucky you are not facing a disciplinary for unauthorised absence.
ETA: Just seen that it was one of your parents. Sorry for your loss. I suspect this is why you are being dealt with leniently and not facing disciplinary action.
Edited by Tyre Smoke on Wednesday 14th December 14:06
Tyre Smoke said:
A total of 12 days compassionate leave is excessive.
As stated previously, it does not take four days to arrange a funeral. Further, I would dispute the need to take 8 days off prior to the death.
Fine, take to odd day or leave early if you need to be at the hospital to arrange transfer to hospice, but you do not need to be at home at other times.
You also don't state how close this relative was. Anything less than immediate family (husband/wife/child/mother/father) would warrant no more than two days in total in my opinion. You should consider yourself lucky you are not facing a disciplinary for unauthorised absence.
I disagree, if one of my parents (as stated) was near the end of their life then I don't think 12 days is excessive.As stated previously, it does not take four days to arrange a funeral. Further, I would dispute the need to take 8 days off prior to the death.
Fine, take to odd day or leave early if you need to be at the hospital to arrange transfer to hospice, but you do not need to be at home at other times.
You also don't state how close this relative was. Anything less than immediate family (husband/wife/child/mother/father) would warrant no more than two days in total in my opinion. You should consider yourself lucky you are not facing a disciplinary for unauthorised absence.
Tyre Smoke said:
A total of 12 days compassionate leave is excessive.
As stated previously, it does not take four days to arrange a funeral. Further, I would dispute the need to take 8 days off prior to the death.
Fine, take to odd day or leave early if you need to be at the hospital to arrange transfer to hospice, but you do not need to be at home at other times.
You also don't state how close this relative was. Anything less than immediate family (husband/wife/child/mother/father) would warrant no more than two days in total in my opinion. You should consider yourself lucky you are not facing a disciplinary for unauthorised absence.
It was one of his parents.As stated previously, it does not take four days to arrange a funeral. Further, I would dispute the need to take 8 days off prior to the death.
Fine, take to odd day or leave early if you need to be at the hospital to arrange transfer to hospice, but you do not need to be at home at other times.
You also don't state how close this relative was. Anything less than immediate family (husband/wife/child/mother/father) would warrant no more than two days in total in my opinion. You should consider yourself lucky you are not facing a disciplinary for unauthorised absence.
Parent lived 300 miles away. Leaving early to go to the hospital etc simply wasn't an option. During the 8 days I worked as much as I could remotely, keeping work informed of the situation. I didn't want the parent to die in hospital so stayed there to fight to obtain a hospice place and towards the end well you realise theres no place else you need to be other than by that persons side. Despite requesting more detail on policy at no point was I informed I would be required to take this time as holiday or unpaid leave.
I'm just miffed if took until now for them to tell me the situation and they didn't at the time, if they had maybe I'd have come back earlier.
Company is 20k + employees.
I'm just miffed if took until now for them to tell me the situation and they didn't at the time, if they had maybe I'd have come back earlier.
Company is 20k + employees.
Firstly I am sorry for your lose, I hope you dont mind me asking but was your parent elderly (70+)
I will say this,
I work for a similar sized company, and have nearly 15 year service (not bad considering I am only 32
), 2 years ago my mother (50) lost her battle with cancer, when we were told that she only had a week or two at most left, I told my company I would be taking the time off, but that I was happy to take it as leave, I ended up taking a total of 4 weeks. 2 as Annual leave, 1 as compassionate, and 1 week my doc signed me off for. I don't think it is out of order for your company to ask you to take some of it as leave.
Have you offered to take any or have they indicated to you how much they want you to take?
I will say this,
I work for a similar sized company, and have nearly 15 year service (not bad considering I am only 32
), 2 years ago my mother (50) lost her battle with cancer, when we were told that she only had a week or two at most left, I told my company I would be taking the time off, but that I was happy to take it as leave, I ended up taking a total of 4 weeks. 2 as Annual leave, 1 as compassionate, and 1 week my doc signed me off for. I don't think it is out of order for your company to ask you to take some of it as leave. Have you offered to take any or have they indicated to you how much they want you to take?
bigbubba said:
I disagree, if one of my parents (as stated) was near the end of their life then I don't think 12 days is excessive.
Funnily enough, my company was massively supportive of me when my Dad passed away last year around this time (8th Dec). I was told to come back in the New Year. That meant I'd have been out of the office over a month.If any of my staff went through this, having been through it myself, so long as they could continue to support the tasks required of them - which in IT is a piece of piss with remote access (as I was doing) then they could take as much time as they needed. There's NOTHING more important than family.
I don't disagree that family is the most important thing.
My Mum passed away from Cancer 3 years ago, I took 1 week compassionate and 1 week holiday. Why should they pay for you not being there for 12 days? If they said you had to go in then yes they are being unreasonable but asking you to take some of the 12 days as holiday/ unpaid isn't imho.
My Mum passed away from Cancer 3 years ago, I took 1 week compassionate and 1 week holiday. Why should they pay for you not being there for 12 days? If they said you had to go in then yes they are being unreasonable but asking you to take some of the 12 days as holiday/ unpaid isn't imho.
bigbubba said:
I disagree, if one of my parents (as stated) was near the end of their life then I don't think 12 days is excessive.
I agree with you. Twelve days could be inconvenient, but then so is death. I was given paid time off to go to the funeral of my girlfriend's grandmother (when asking I actually said I'd take holiday but they insisted not as a matter of course). I think I would be uncomfortable working for a company that was even thinking about starting disciplinary actions toward an employee who has been absent (authorised or not) due to a significant loss like this.daliancer said:
I'm just miffed if took until now for them to tell me the situation and they didn't at the time, if they had maybe I'd have come back earlier.
Company is 20k + employees.
This is what lets you downCompany is 20k + employees.
if it was your money, you would have returned earlier, but as you believed it was company money,. you took longer.
while i truly do feel for you, having lost my dad last year too, its not for anyone else to pay for it sadly
T_Pot said:
daliancer said:
I'm just miffed if took until now for them to tell me the situation and they didn't at the time, if they had maybe I'd have come back earlier.
Company is 20k + employees.
This is what lets you downCompany is 20k + employees.
if it was your money, you would have returned earlier, but as you believed it was company money,. you took longer.
while i truly do feel for you, having lost my dad last year too, its not for anyone else to pay for it sadly
T_Pot said:
This is what lets you down
if it was your money, you would have returned earlier, but as you believed it was company money,. you took longer.
while i truly do feel for you, having lost my dad last year too, its not for anyone else to pay for it sadly
This is where it gets to the area of personal opinion but I believe this goes down to whether you work for a good company or not.if it was your money, you would have returned earlier, but as you believed it was company money,. you took longer.
while i truly do feel for you, having lost my dad last year too, its not for anyone else to pay for it sadly
I would be happy to pay for my staff to have two or three weeks off if they felt they needed to as I know that I get good results from the benefits they receive.
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