We recently had a question about bereavement leave. SAVE the attached email for your future reference!

We previously learned from our fearless leader, Ricky Vest, that there are actually TWO separate sections that relate to bereavement and funeral leave (see highlighted sections below). Bottom line is that employees are entitled to:

Leave for Bereavement:

• Up to 5 day of annual leave, sick leave, and/or LWOP for employees to mourn the death of a spouse; child, parent, sibling, or any individual related by affinity, (i.e., whose association with the employee is the equivalent of the family relationships identified above.)
  * Per the master agreement, Article 35, Section 18B (p. 204), Upon request, subject to any documentation requirements, leave-approving official shall approval up to 5 days of annual leave, sick leave, and /or LWOP for employees to mourn the death of the following family members: Spouse; children, including adopted and step-children; parents, including step-parents; siblings, including step-brother/sister; or any individual related by affinity, (i.e., whose association with the employee is the equivalent of the family relationships identified above.)
• One day of annual leave, sick leave, and/or LWOP for employees to mourn the death of a grandparent or parent of their spouse
  * Per the master agreement, Article 35, Section 18B (p. 204), Upon request, subject to any documentation requirements, leave approving officials shall approve one day of annual leave, sick leave, and/or LWOP for employees to mourn the death of a grandparent or parent of their spouse.

AND

Leave to Attend Funeral:

• Sick leave to attend a funeral or memorial service; necessary travel, pre-funeral and after-funeral/burial gatherings or ceremonies, memorial services; and reading of the will. (Note: this may be more than 1 day)
  *Per the master agreement, Article 35, Section 4D (p. 190), Title 5 and hybrid employees are entitled to sick leave to attend a funeral or memorial service; necessary travel, pre-funeral and after-funeral/burial gatherings or ceremonies, memorial services; and reading of the will.
  *****Note that per the master agreement, Article 35, Section 18B (p. 204-205), Title 38 employees are NOT afforded the use of sick leave to attend a funeral or memorial service; necessary travel, pre-funeral and after-funeral/burial gatherings or ceremonies, memorial services; and reading of the will.