Does Bereavement Cover Grandparents? 2023 Guide
Many people are understandably concerned about whether bereavement covers grandparents. The short answer is that it depends on the specific policy in question, but we can provide some general guidance to help you understand your options.
Qualifying Family Members
When it comes to bereavement policies, the exact definitions of qualifying family members can vary depending on the specific policy in question. Typically, though, a qualifying family member will include a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner, or parent-in-law.
Using Bereavement Leave
If an employee experiences the death of a qualifying family member, they may be eligible to use bereavement leave. The specifics of how much time is granted, and whether it is paid or unpaid, will depend on the specific policy in question.
However, in general, an employee can use bereavement leave for each qualifying occurrence – meaning each time a qualifying family member dies.
Check out this Youtube video to learn if grandparents are covered under bereavement: “Bereavement – Grandparents Grief – YouTube”
What is Bereavement?
Bereavement is a period of grief and mourning that an employee goes through after the death of a family member or loved one. The purpose of bereavement is to provide the employee with time to process their loss, make necessary arrangements, and attend to matters related to the deceased.
In California, bereavement leave is a protected time off that eligible employees can take to grieve and make necessary arrangements without fear of losing their job or being penalized.
Is Grandparent Bereavement Coverage Available?
Yes, bereavement covers grandparents as long as they are considered an immediate family member. Immediate family members are typically defined as parents, in-law, children, siblings, spouse, (unmarried) domestic partner, guardian, or grandparent.
An eligible employee is entitled to use bereavement leave under AB 1949 for each qualifying occurrence, meaning each death of a qualifying immediate family member.
This means that if an employee experiences the death of a grandparent, they are entitled to take bereavement leave to attend related matters and grieve without worrying about job security or retaliation. Employers are required to honor this leave and should not penalize or discriminate against employees who take bereavement leave for immediate family members.
Types of Leave Available for Bereavement
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be difficult, and it often has a profound impact on employees’ lives. In recognition of this, employers offer a range of bereavement leaves.
But does bereavement cover grandparents?
Sick Leave for Bereavement
Unfortunately, most sick leave policies do not apply to bereavement. Sick leave is intended to provide time off to recuperate from one’s own illness or injury, and it may not be available to grieving employees.
In some cases, however, an employee’s mental or emotional strain can be severe enough to qualify for sick leave. Speak with a human resources representative to see if this is an option.
Bereavement Leave
Bereavement leave, on the other hand, is designed specifically to provide time off for employees who have experienced the death of a loved one. This type of leave varies by company, but it is often available to full-time employees after a certain length of employment.
When it comes to grandparents, many employers consider them to be eligible for bereavement leave.
While state and federal lawmakers do not provide specific protection for grandparents under bereavement leave laws, it is not uncommon to see broader definitions of immediate family in employee handbooks. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) defines an immediate family member as a parent, spouse, or child—but the FMLA also includes a “next of kin” category for situations where an employee needs to care for a grandparent.
California has Assembly Bill 1949, which expands the current bereavement leave law and requires employers to provide employees with up to 10 business days of unpaid leave following the death of an in-law. The law defines the new category of family member as a spouse’s parent, grandparent, or sibling.
If you have questions about your company’s bereavement leave policy, speak with your human resources representative or review your employee handbook.
Is Grandparent Bereavement Covered?
Yes, bereavement leave may cover grandparents in certain situations and in some US states.
California Guidelines on Bereavement Leave for Grandparents
In California, the state’s bereavement leave law, Assembly Bill 2999 (AB 2999), includes grandparents as a qualifying family member for whom an employee can take bereavement leave. AB 2999 allows employees to take up to three days off for the death of a qualifying family member with pay.
Other US States Bereavement Leave Policies for Grandparents
While California includes grandparents in its state bereavement leave law, other US states may have different policies. For example, some states allow bereavement leave for immediate family members, which may include grandparents.
Immediate family typically includes parents, siblings, spouses, children, and sometimes additional family members.
Employers may also have their own policies regarding bereavement leave, including who is considered a qualifying family member and how much time off an employee can take. It is important for employees to familiarize themselves with their employer’s policies and their state’s laws regarding bereavement leave.
GP Compassionate Leave vs. Bereavement Leave
When a family member passes away, it is important for employees to know their leave options. Employers may offer compassionate leave, bereavement leave, or both.
Compassionate leave is usually given to employees who have to care for a seriously ill or dying family member, while bereavement leave is given to employees who have suffered a loss.
Does bereavement cover grandparents?
The answer is not straightforward. Employers may have different policies regarding who can be considered “immediate family” for bereavement leave.
Typically, immediate family members include parents, children, siblings, spouses, and sometimes grandparents. However, not all employers may include grandparents in the definition of immediate family.
It is important for employees to check their company’s policy regarding bereavement leave to know their options in case of the loss of a grandparent.
In California, an employee can use bereavement leave for the death of a qualifying family member, which includes a grandparent as defined in CFRA. Each qualifying occurrence, meaning each death of a qualifying member, can trigger the employee’s use of bereavement leave under AB 1949.
It is important for employees to communicate with their HR department to know about their options and to understand the company’s policies on leave.
Is Grandparent Bereavement Covered?
Yes, bereavement leave typically covers grandparents as they are considered immediate family members in most scenarios. An employee is entitled to take time off from work due to the death of a grandparent and may use bereavement leave under the FMLA or CFRA for each qualifying occurrence.
Some companies may also offer additional bereavement leave beyond the legally required minimum. It is important for employees to check their company’s policy on bereavement leave to understand their entitlements.
How to Apply for Bereavement Leave
To apply for bereavement leave, employees should follow the steps outlined by their employer. Generally, employees must notify their employer of the need for bereavement leave as soon as possible and provide proof of the death, such as a death certificate or obituary.
Employers may require employees to fill out a leave request form and provide details about their relationship to the deceased. It is important for employees to review their company’s bereavement leave policy to understand their legal rights and obligations when taking this type of leave.
Tips for Employers Dealing with Grieving Employees
When an employee loses a family member, it can be difficult for them to focus on work. Here are some tips for employers dealing with grieving employees:
- Be compassionate: Losing a loved one is a difficult time, and it’s important for employers to show compassion and support to their grieving employees. Offer condolences and make sure the employee knows that their absence is understood and supported.
- Be flexible: Allow the employee to take time off to attend the funeral or to handle any other arrangements that need to be made. Consider allowing the employee to work from home or to come in later or leave earlier if needed.
- Provide resources: Offer information about any employee assistance programs that are available. These programs can provide counseling and other resources to help employees deal with grief.
- Communicate with the rest of the team: Let the rest of the team know what has happened and that the grieving employee will be out of the office. Encourage team members to offer support and flexibility to the grieving employee.
- Be prepared for the employee’s return: When the employee returns to work, check in with them to see how they’re doing. Be prepared for the fact that the employee may need additional time off or support as they continue to deal with their loss.
Does Bereavement Cover Grandparents?
Yes, many employers offer bereavement leave for the death of a grandparent. However, this can vary depending on the specific company and their policies.
If an employee needs to take time off after the death of a grandparent, they should check with their employer to see if bereavement leave is available.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the coverage of bereavement leave for grandparents in different organizations and states. According to the available sources, bereavement leave usually covers the death of immediate family members, including grandparents.
However, the time off and benefits may vary depending on the company and the state’s policies. For an employee, taking bereavement leave helps them deal with the emotional and practical aspects of a loved one’s death without the added stress of work obligations.
Providing bereavement leave for grandparents is a compassionate way for employers to support their employees during a difficult time.
References
- US Department of Labor: Bereavement
- SHRM: Bereavement Leave Policy Sample
- California Department of Industrial Relations: FAQ on Bereavement Leave
