What is Bereavement Pay?
Bereavement pay is offered by some organisations as a kind of compensation to workers who miss work because of the death of a family member or close friend. This compensation is meant to ease the financial strain that comes with planning and attending funerals or taking care of other immediate responsibilities after a death in the family. Bereavement pay is not available to all employees, and each employer may have different eligibility requirements. It is given to full-time employees, and in some companies, it is also offered to temporary or part-time workers.
Important aspects related to Bereavement Pay-
- Paid Time Off: It is essentially paid time off that is given to employees for a set amount of time after a bereavement event.
- Coverage: The close family members of the employee, such as a spouse, children, parents, and siblings, are often covered by bereavement pay.
- Duration: Bereavement pay lasts for a different amount of time depending on the employer. Depending on the employer’s policy and the employee’s relationship to the deceased, it can be anywhere from one day to many days.
- Documentation: To confirm the employee’s eligibility for bereavement pay, employers may ask for proof, such as a death certificate or obituary notice.