How to Manage Grieving Employees
Bereavement State Law and Company Policy
Your legal responsibilities:
Federal Law does not required paid bereavement leave. California Law dictates that private employers are not legally required to offer bereavement leave either. This leaves it up to the discretion of each employer as to whether or not they will provide this benefit. Public companies are required to cover three days of paid leave following specific requirements “(Govt C §19859.3(a)–(b)):
- The leave must be granted for the “death of a person related by blood, adoption, or marriage, or any person residing in the immediate household of the employee at the time of death”;
- The employee must provide advance notice of the need for leave to his or her immediate supervisor;
- The employee must provide documentation confirming the death; and
- The employee may take an additional 2 days (without pay or by accrued sick leave) if the death occurred outside California.
- If the employee needs additional bereavement leave, he or she may use accrued vacation or compensating time off, or take an authorized leave without pay, subject to approval. Govt C §19859.3(c).”
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