What is compassionate leave?
Compassionate leave, also known as bereavement leave, is a form of leave granted to employees to provide them with time off from work to deal with the death or serious illness of a close family member or a person with whom they have a significant relationship. This leave is intended to give employees the opportunity to attend funerals, make necessary arrangements, or cope with the emotional impact of a personal loss.
In addition to leave, some employers may offer additional support to employees during times of bereavement, such as access to counseling services or flexible working arrangements, to help employees cope with their loss.
Is this leave a legally protected right in Irish law?
Compassionate leave is not specifically covered by separate legislation. Instead, it is typically included as part of an employee’s statutory entitlements or employment contract. The duration and terms of this type of leave can vary depending on the employer’s policies or collective agreements that are in place.
Will I be paid during my time off?
Whether this leave is paid or unpaid depends on the employer’s policy or the terms of the employment contract. Some employers may provide paid compassionate leave for a certain number of days, while others may offer it as unpaid leave.
When should I notify my employer ?
Employees are typically required to notify their employer as soon as possible when they need this leave.
Employers may also request some form of documentation, such as a death certificate or medical certificate, to confirm the need for compassionate leave.
Check your contract
As this leave entitlements and policies can vary between employers, employees should check their employment contracts or company handbooks for specific details on compassionate leave and its conditions in their workplace.
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