Employee Handbook

Section 6 — Time Away from Work

Regular Full-time Employees

A funeral or bereavement leave of five working days shall be granted to regular full-time employees in the event of death of the employee’s parent, spouse, domestic partner, son, daughter, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, step-child, step-parent, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, an equivalent relative of a domestic partner, or an adult who stood in loco parentis to the employee during childhood, to handle the necessary family details and attend the funeral. Up to five working days shall be granted to an employee for bereavement leave for the unplanned loss of an unborn child. Up to three working days off shall be granted to an employee in the event of death of the employees daughter-in-law, son-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, or any individual related by close affinity. Close affinity is defined as an unmarried partner, household members "chosen family", and any person with whom the employee has a significant personal bond that is like a familial relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship.

Full-time Employees Working 24-hour Shifts

A funeral or bereavement leave of seven calendar days with a maximum of three shifts shall be granted to an employee in the event of death of the employee’s parent, spouse, domestic partner, son, daughter, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, step-child, step-parent, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, an equivalent relative of a domestic partner, or an adult who stood in loco parentis to the employee during childhood, to handle the necessary family details and attend the funeral. Up to seven calendar days with a maximum of three shifts shall be granted to an employee for bereavement leave for the unplanned loss of an unborn child. Up to five calendar days with a maximum of two shifts shall be granted to an employee in the event of death of the employees daughter-in-law, son-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, or any individual related by close affinity. Close affinity is defined as an unmarried partner, household members "chosen family", and any person with whom the employee has a significant personal bond that is like a familial relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship.

Full-time Employees Working the Pitman Schedule

A funeral or bereavement leave of 42 hours shall be granted to an employee in the event of death of the employee’s parent, spouse, domestic partner, son, daughter, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, step-child, step-parent, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, an equivalent relative of a domestic partner, or an adult who stood in loco parentis to the employee during childhood, to handle the necessary family details and attend the funeral. Up to 42 hours shall be granted to an employee for bereavement leave for the unplanned loss of an unborn child. Up to 25 hours shall be granted to an employee in the event of death of the employees daughter-in-law, son-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, or any individual related by close affinity. Close affinity is defined as an unmarried partner, household members "chosen family", and any person with whom the employee has a significant personal bond that is like a familial relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship.

Minor deviations in this policy may be made by the City Manager.

Regular full-time employees may be allowed up to four hours off with pay to attend a funeral of a City employee or City Official. The need for continuing essential services and emergencies may limit the number of employees who may attend a funeral. The department director may decide on the length of time actually required for funeral attendance and the number of employees who may attend the funeral, visitation or memorial service.  

In certain circumstances, eligible employees may also utilize paid sick leave to supplement the funeral and bereavement leave outlined in this section. See also Section 6.4, Paid Sick Leave.