Bereavement...am I thinking unreasonably?

[kaw1218]

Ok...so I just got a call from DH's mom. His grandpop is not doing well.

He's not expected to make the night.

So I started the ball moving....my kids are cleaning their rooms. I am washing the spare sheets. The cats are jumping on the air mattresses.

Sounds about right. Who knows who is going to be crashing here.

And then I started the work process.
The company I work for will give me 3 paid days off, so I can definately help out more, and attend any and all services.

My husbands company....nothing. In fact, if he takes off more than one day, he will be written up for time lost.

Now, I wasn't expecting paid time off. But I would think 2 days off is reasonable. (we are catholic, so there will be services to attend)

AND it's NOT because it's a grand parent. This is their policy even if it's a spouse, child, parent or 3rd cousin twice removed.

Am I wrong for thinking he should be allowed to take 2 days off without the write up?
Like I said...I wasn't looking for paid time off...just the time off.


UGH. Thank goodness his vacation time just rolled over. At least he'll be able to take the 2 days off without worrying about losing his job.

 

[Lintasare]

That is insane that they won't allow bereavment leave. I think the company is kinda heartless to have a policy like that.

 

[KelNottAt]

That stinks. Two days off is not unreasonable.

Sorry to hear about your GFIL. May he pass in peace.

 

[2girlsmom]

Ok...so I just got a call from DH's mom. His grandpop is not doing well.

He's not expected to make the night.

So I started the ball moving....my kids are cleaning their rooms. I am washing the spare sheets. The cats are jumping on the air mattresses.

Sounds about right. Who knows who is going to be crashing here.

And then I started the work process.
The company I work for will give me 3 paid days off, so I can definately help out more, and attend any and all services.

My husbands company....nothing. In fact, if he takes off more than one day, he will be written up for time lost.

Now, I wasn't expecting paid time off. But I would think 2 days off is reasonable. (we are catholic, so there will be services to attend)

AND it's NOT because it's a grand parent. This is their policy even if it's a spouse, child, parent or 3rd cousin twice removed.

Am I wrong for thinking he should be allowed to take 2 days off without the write up?
Like I said...I wasn't looking for paid time off...just the time off.


UGH. Thank goodness his vacation time just rolled over. At least he'll be able to take the 2 days off without worrying about losing his job.

I think the company is pretty unreasonable! Most companies have some funeral bereavement leave, and I am pretty sure they would have to if ya fought it under FMLA or something... Now whether they would include grandparents is another story all together. My company does, but when Rick was in the Air Force, they only considered a grandparent if the grandparent raised him in loco parentis. Otherwise only parents, siblings, spouse, child, spouses parents.

 

[kaw1218]

That is insane that they won't allow bereavment leave. I think the company is kinda heartless to have a policy like that.

I thought so too...it's a contract company...for our government

 

[Doe]

No, you are not being unreasonable. It's unfortunate that there are employers who, I don't know, just don't seem to have a heart.
Keeping your family in my prayers.

 

[kaw1218]

I think the company is pretty unreasonable! Most companies have some funeral bereavement leave, and I am pretty sure they would have to if ya fought it under FMLA or something... Now whether they would include grandparents is another story all together. My company does, but when Rick was in the Air Force, they only considered a grandparent if the grandparent raised him in loco parentis. Otherwise only parents, siblings, spouse, child, spouses parents.

I'm sure I could fight it to some degree...but it will just be easier to have him use the 2 vacation days at this point.
I just wanted to make sure I didn't seem crazy.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Actually there are a lot of companies that don't give bereavement leave. I have always been lucky, and worked for companies that do, but DH hasn't. His old job, gave nothing.

Last year my grandmother died, and my company only paid one day for a grandparent. However I was told to take more if need be, and that I could use vacation time. I needed more because I had to drive home for the funeral. At DH's new job, he could have gotten 3 days, if he had wanted. He only took 1, and only because he was on kid duty, while I was gone.

 

[MareQ]

I agree - insane. We give 3 days PAID of Bereavement Leave for spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings and children/grandchildren. For anything other than an immediate family member we allow 1 day off unpaid.

 

[Cindy B]

That is the joy of contract positions.

They don't have to pay the benefits of a regular full time position.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

That stinks. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that on top of everything else.

The policy at my work is very generous, IMO. 5 days paid bereavement leave due to spouse, child, parent, grandparent, by marriage, adoption, or birth. So that would include a step grandmother-in-law, for instance. (Not that I've ever heard of anyone doing so.)

 

[jennyl772003]

Ugh, that's rotten.

My company offers up to 5 days for immediate family. 1-3 for close friends at the managers discretion. I will be taking 1 hour tomorrow and all day Fri for my Grandma's funeral.

Now, DH thought a grandparent in law would not be covered by his companies policy, but it was. So he will also be taking off on Fri. Even it they hadn't, they wouldn't have hassled him for using vacation or as unpaid. I think that's the part that gets me from your husband's situation.

 

[kejoda]

I'm really sorry Kelly.

That just sucks about the leave.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Sorry to hear that Kelly.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I'm sorry about your GFIL.

I did want to mention that bereavement is not covered under FMLA. FMLA applies for the care of a close, ill family member but it does not cover bereavement time.

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

Kaw, so sad to hear about your grandpop-in-law. I would insert the hug smiley here, but nothing seems to be working right for me on the DIS this evening.

 

[kaw1218]

I'm sorry about your GFIL.

I did want to mention that bereavement is not covered under FMLA. FMLA applies for the care of a close, ill family member but it does not cover bereavement time.

I'm aware of that. Thanks for the info

 

[kaw1218]

Thanks everyone

 

[Keggy]

That is awful - unfortunately it is quite commmon. I have learned working in staffing that I need to go over everything with a fine tooth comb. My husband just took a new position in November and he asked so many questions to HR prior to accepting the position, but now a days with so many different kinds of positions and companies out there benefits vary greatly.

Some companies now are not offering paid jury duty leave either. It depends on your state and if it is required by law there. I was suprised to here that recently. That could be common knowledge for others, but it was new to me!

 

[kaw1218]

I'm not asking for PAID time off...I was just asking for him to be able to attend the services...

here's a funny twist. If he takes the 2 days off...he gets a write up...and a 3day suspension.

So...if he takes off 2 days...he'll actually get a week off.