G.1.15 Bereavement

Marine Biological Laboratory
Policy No. G.1.15

Human Resources

Initiated by:Director of Human Resources
Approved by:MBL Director/CEO
Date:August 16, 2004
Revision:
Distribution:MBL Policy Book

1.0 Policy Statement:
The bereavement leave policy establishes uniform guidelines for providing paid time off to employees for absences related to the death of immediate family members. It is designed to provide time away from work to grieve and to handle matters related to the death.

2.0 Eligibility
All full-time and part-time active year round employees are eligible for bereavement leave. Temporary and seasonal employees are excluded from the policy. Bereavement benefits for bargaining unit employees are determined by the collective bargaining agreement.

3.0 Definitions

    3.1 Immediate family includes:spouse or domestic partner, parents, children, step-children, step-parents.
    3.2 Extended family includes:siblings, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts and uncles.

4.0 Length of Leave

    4.1 In the event of a death in an employee’s immediate family, the employee may be granted up to five consecutive days of paid leave for bereavement.
    4.2 In the event of a death in an employee’s extended family, the employee may be granted up to three consecutive days of paid leave to attend the funeral.
    4.3 In unusual circumstances, an employee may request additional time off. The additional time off must be charged to accrued vacation time or taken as unpaid time off.

5.0 Requests and Approvals

    5.1 Employees should request bereavement leave from their immediate supervisor by informing him or her of the death and the number of days requested. Supervisors are responsible for obtaining any additional departmental approvals, if required, and communicating approvals or denials to the employee.

6.0 Additional provisions

    6.1 An absence from work in the event of the death of a person who is not covered by the definitions in this policy may be requested. If approved, such an absence will be charged to the employee’s available accrued vacation time.

7.0 Policy Clarification and Updates:
Policy clarification and updates are available from the Human Resources Office.