Wilderness Brewery Ltd acknowledges the personal nature of bereavement and grief and is committed to supporting employees in practical and reasonable ways.
Wilderness Brewery Ltd acknowledges that bereavement impacts all individuals differently and the guidelines below are intended to show the minimum paid leave an employee is entitled to in different circumstances. Wilderness Brewery Ltd acknowledges that not all employees will need to take the full allowance, and some employees will need additional time, depending on their relationship with the person who has died and the circumstances of the death.
In the event of the death of an immediate relative, 5 working days paid leave will be granted immediately. An immediate relative includes a spouse, civil partner or partner,* child,** or a person with whom the employee is in a relationship of domestic dependency. *Our definition of partner includes someone with whom the employee is co-habiting but is not the employee’s spouse or civil partner. **Child includes children in respect of whom the employee is the adoptive parent and legal guardians and carers.
An employee should notify their line manager of their need to take leave as soon as possible or, at latest, on the first day of absence. In exceptional circumstances, applications for leave will be considered after the first day of absence. Line managers have the right to exercise discretion in exceptional circumstances as outlined above. Leave days do not have to be taken consecutively.
In the event of a bereavement, an employee will be able to take unpaid leave or annual leave at short notice to supplement their bereavement leave. Requests should be directed to the employee’s line manager.
An employee who suffers a family bereavement while on annual leave can convert their annual leave into bereavement leave and take their annual leave at a future date.
Unpaid leave on compassionate grounds up to a maximum of one month may be granted after bereavement. An employee must consult with their line manager before starting unpaid leave.
In certain circumstances a full return to work may not be possible for an employee following the death of an immediate relative – for example, when the employee’s grief is likely to impact on their ability to perform their role, or where new child care arrangements have to be sourced or responsibility for the care of an elderly parent has transferred to the employee.
In such instances Wilderness Brewery Ltd will allow a phased return to work on a part-time or reduced hours basis where practicable. Alternative duties may also be considered. Any such arrangement would need to be agreed in advance by the line manager, would be subject to an agreed maximum number of days and would be managed in line with Wilderness Brewery Ltd flexible working/part-time working policy.
Wilderness Brewery Ltd acknowledges that bereavement leave is intended to support employees in the immediate period around the death of a relative. However, the process of grief, the natural reaction and adjustment to loss and change may take a significant time and will be personal to each individual.
An employee with any concerns about the grieving process impacting on their work performance should discuss this in confidence with either their line manager or the Human Resources Department, to ensure that any reasonable adjustments that may be necessary are discussed and put in place and that the employee is supported in their return to the full range of duties and responsibilities that they had prior to the bereavement or their duties and responsibilities are adjusted (as necessary) with the prior agreement of line manager.
Wilderness Brewery Ltd recognises that the majority of people do not require counselling to cope effectively with their grief. However, for employees wishing to avail themselves of professional help in coming to terms with a significant loss, the organisation will make allowances for time needed to attend sessions.
Bereavement can have an impact on concentration, sleep, and decision-making. The health and safety assessment of the workplace will include consideration of the impact of bereavement on employees, their duties and responsibilities, and the context in which they are working, eg do they operate heavy machinery?
Any employee who is concerned about their ability to conduct their duties safely in the weeks following a bereavement must discuss this with their line manager.
Wilderness Brewery Ltd reserves the right to request an employee to meet the organisation’s doctor before resuming full duties.