- Home
- HR Information System
- Pay & Benefits
- Pensions
- Performance Management
- Policies
- Probation & Establishment
- Promotions
- Recruitment
- HR Research
- Wellbeing & Development
- PSSA
- Employee Assistance Service
- Garda Vetting
- Staff Onboarding
Bereavement Leave
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the policy is to set out the revised provisions regarding special leave with pay (Bereavement Leave) for an employee in the event of the death of a relative. The Bereavement Leave Policy forms an element of UCC’s family leave policy framework and the University is committed to supporting employees who may require family related leave, such as in the case of a bereavement.
2. DEFINITIONS
Spouse - including cohabiting partner
Child - including adopted children and children being cared for on the basis of ‘in loco parentis’, or any other person in a relationship of domestic dependency
Immediate relative –
- father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, brother, stepbrother, half-brother, brother-in-law, sister, stepsister, half-sister, sister-in-law, father in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, or grandchild
- a similar immediate relative of a cohabiting partner
- other relevant parent
Bereavement Leave - special leave with pay in case of the death of spouse, child, immediate relative, as defined above.
3. SCOPE
This policy applies to all UCC employees, effective from 14.06.22
4. PRINCIPLES – Bereavement Leave Provisions
4.1 Bereavement Leave is granted at the time of the bereavement to facilitate the employee with paid time off work. The amount of Bereavement Leave that can be availed of is prescribed in the table below.
| Relationship to Employee | Amount of Paid Leave Granted |
|---|---|
| Where there is the death of a: spouse (including a cohabiting partner) child (including adopted children and children being cared for on the basis of ‘in loco parentis’) Any person in a relationship of domestic dependency |
20 working days |
| Where there is the death of another immediate relative (as detailed in definitions) |
5 working days |
| Where there is the death of an: uncle aunt niece nephew |
1 working day
In exceptional circumstances, where the employee lived with the deceased at the time of their death, or has to take charge of funeral arrangements, this limit may be extended to 5 working days. |
| In the event of a stillbirth or prenatal death of a child after twenty-four weeks pregnancy, bereavement leave may be granted to: the other parent of the child The mother of the child will get access to maternity leave, as per the maternity leave policy |
10 Working days |
4.2 In a case where an employee has to travel abroad to make funeral arrangements in respect of an immediate relative, an application for special leave with pay in excess of the limits for Bereavement Leave may be submitted to the Head of School/Head of Unit/ Line Manager for approval at their discretion.
4.3 There is no requirement for an employee to avail of the full amount of Bereavement Leave outlined above. In certain situations, an employee may wish to return to work sooner.
4.4 Bereavement Leave is granted only at the time of the bereavement. Bereavement Leave cannot be substituted for any form of leave, other than annual leave. If the bereavement occurs when an employee is on annual leave, the annual leave can be replaced with Bereavement Leave and the annual leave restored.
4.5 With regard to job-sharers, the granting of Bereavement Leave, and the amount granted will depend on whether or not the employee was scheduled to work for the period in question.
4.6 All staff are reminded of the fact that the University’s Employee Assistance Programme offers both practical and emotional support to staff who have experienced bereavement. Details of the EAP can be found at https://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/eap/
4.7 To apply for Bereavement Leave, the applicant should advise their Head of School/Head of Unit/ Line Manager of the bereavement by phone or email. Upon agreement, the Bereavement Leave form should be completed by the applicant within 2 weeks of returning to work. Their Head of School/Head of Unit/ Line Manager will then approve the form.
4.8 Once completed, please forward completed application form the Department of Human Resources.
Application for Bereavement Leave
Protocol for Responding to the Death of a Colleague