Work not letting me off for my Grandfather's funeral.

Robert1986

Robert1986

Robert1986

Soldato
Joined
17 Apr 2007
Posts
23,162
Location
stat city
My grandfather died on 10/02/2011 at 11:20pm from cancer. Funeral is on the 18/02/2011 and my work won't let me off because it isn't immediate family.

My union say I can take the day off because its still family but my supervisors and boss are saying no because too many people have booked annual leave off for that day. :rolleyes:

Where do I stand? Take a sick day with no pay? Tell them to **** off? A colleague of mine got a day off last week when her grandmother died. They let her off because there was enough staff to cover for her. They won't do the same for me even though I worked last friday, the day after he died...

Whats my options?
 
If the union has your back take the day off. Let work know you won't be coming in, don't ask just tell them.

Or you could ask people on Annual Leave. Someone may be able to cancel their day for you.
 
Tough **** for them. If he is a blood relative then I dont see how they can deny you compassionate leave. Just inform them you are not available for work, if the union has already backed you then it's all good.

Sorry to hear about the death of your Grandfather though. :(
 
I'd be tempted to tell them the union had said you have every right to, and see what they say. If they argue it, tell them that seeing as you've been informed by the union you're within your rights, you'll be doing it anyway.

I can't see them following it up, and I can't see them getting anywhere if they did.

I wouldn't expect to be paid for it though.
 
working rights

may be of some guidance, but like the others have said, tell them your going...its not as if its not a family member

sorry for the your loss of your grandfather too
 
Minxy said:
Tough **** for them. If he is a blood relative then I dont see how they can deny you compassionate leave.
Click to expand...

When my Gran died the other year I had to take holiday. Only if a member of my immediate family (Dad, Mother, Siblings etc) would my work give me compassionate leave. Was a bit annoyed to say the least.
 
Check the documentation on your companies policy for compassionate leave yourself, don't trust them. Check your contract of employment too.

You might be able to swing it if your grandad was a 'dependant' i.e. you lived with him/responsible for day-to-day care.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/parents/moneyandworkentitlements/workandfamilies/dg_10026555


I do find it a bit disgusting - he is your grandad afterall. I would be tempted to just take the day off tbh or at least push a bit harder to get the day off, however in reality i bet I'd bottle it to keep my job. :( tough one.
 
Last edited:
Bit harsh. My grandma remarried and when he died work gave me compassionate leave. He was my grandad of sorts though as she remarried before my birth.
 
Be polite, but firm with them - with your union's backing, you're well within your rights to go. As has been said, you shouldn't really have to make an issue out of this, I would count grandparents very much as immediate family.
It does sound like someone doesn't want to roll their sleeves up and take one for the team to allow you to go. Is it a "frontline" job (ie you're dealing with the public) or more backroom, where you'll be a bit behind with work, but you can get away with it?

Perhaps you don't want to get too worked up with your line management about it - if they feel you're being bolshy, they might dig their heels in and look at disciplining you when you don't turn up - that's further aggravation you don't want at this time.
 
tell them you wont be turning up on that day , especially when the union is backing you

id love to see the sort of cold hearted person who would give you a disciplinary for it.
 
Go to the doctors, tell them and cry, get signed off for the week.

Sorry about your Grandfather :(

I get no compasionate leave for Grandparents either.
 
Sorry for the loss of your Grandfather.

To echo many of the reply's, i too would inform them i would not be in work that day, i would take the day without pay if needs be, and be looking for employment elsewhere immediately, and if they had the audacity to ask for your help at any point in the future for something you were not contracted to oblige to, with the biggest smile on my face say FU!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom