Human Resources

Bereavement Leave

Section: Human Resources Policies
Policy Name: Bereavement Leave
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Office of Human Resources
Origination Date: 1997
Revisions:  June 2016; July 2017
Legacy Policy Number: 4-44
  1. SCOPEOF POLICYThis policy addresses available bereavement leave for benefits-eligible employees.
  2. DEFINITIONS
    1. Immediate family member: an employee’s spouse, father, mother, sister, brother, son, daughter, step parent, step child, and parent-in-law.
  3. POLICY STATEMENTUniversity benefits-eligible employees are provided with paid time off for making arrangements, settling family affairs, bereavement, and/or attending the funeral or memorial service of a member of the family. The University of Delaware values and recognizes the wide array of a person’s definition of family and looks to be supportive and accommodating of employees in their time of grief during their loss of a loved one.
  4. POLICY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES
    1. Death of employee’s immediate family member: Employees may be excused from work with pay upon request for up to five (5) consecutive working days following the death of an immediate family member.
    2. Death of employee’s grandparent/grandchild: Employees may be excused from work with pay upon request for a maximum of three (3) consecutive working days following the death of an employee’s grandparent or grandchild.
    3. Death of employee’s other close relative: Employees may be excused from work with pay upon request and approval by the employee’s immediate supervisor for up to one (1) working day with pay for the death of a close relative not in the immediate family, such as an aunt or uncle.
    4. Approval Required in Certain Situations: Extension of bereavement leave, leave for a relative or person not listed herein, or use of non-consecutive bereavement leave may be requested and utilized with the approval of the supervisor concerned and the Office of Employee Relations, employee-relations@udel.edu. Such situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Other options might include, but are not limited to, utilizing vacation time or taking a leave without pay.
    5. Absences do not implicate Attendance Policy: Absences due to bereavement/funeral will not be included when considering an employee’s attendance record. These absences should be documented, but should not be considered as an occurrence when determining absenteeism/lateness in accordance with the Attendance Policy. The University reserves the right to request documentation supporting a bereavement leave request.