General Chat

Take a whole chunk off as sick leave by going to your doctor and saying you are not sleeping due to the stress and upset. They will have cut off their nose to spite their face then.
I always think the better you treat your staff the better they will work for you, but doesn't seem to be the case these days.
Good for your daughter, glad she can tell them what to do with their job and measly days off.
Lizx

So sorry for your loss Maggy.

and What can I say... some people are all heart.

Deanna X

Maggy,

So sad to hear about your Dad, I hope you and your family are looking after each other and yourselves.

I always found the situation in the UK strange when it came to family deaths even when I lived there. It is most inhumane.
We were living in the UK and had our own business when my Dad died and couldnt take any time off, it was awful. My Grandad died a year later and I was still in shock after my Dad; I was also 6 months pregnant and hubby tried to get time off to drive me the 100miles to the funeral. He was told if you go you will be sacked. I drove myself and the kids down to the funeral.

In contrast my Gran died in 2004, 2 years after we moved here. I was granted paid leave for as long as I needed and hubby was told if he needed to take a couple of weeks to bring me over to the funeral that was fine.

The one thing our manager struggled with was the length of time between the death and the funeral. Over here the burial generally takes place 3-4 days after death and you would be frowned upon if you returned to work within a week of a parent passing away.

Take care and dont let the bullies get you down.

love Theresa

Thanks for your comments everyone. Makes me feel better knowing that people agree.

Liz, that sick leave sounds very tempting!!

Maggy, I am so sorry about the loss of your much loved Dad..... I cannot believe that a firm is treating an employee of 20 years like this.. I was so lucky when I was working they were marvellous to all employee's and if it was very close relations like yours is then we could have the whole week and more is needed.
I hope that you get it sorted Maggy, wonder what they would do if it was their Dad??
Hugs to you and yours. from Maisie xx

Maggy

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad

Love and Hugs toyou and your family

Jan x

Must admit that it is very tempting to tell them to shove their job at the minute!!

Will try to be calm tomorrow and listen to what she has to say first though...lol...

Maggy,

Let us know how you get on today.

((Hugs))

love Theresa

Got a slight update for you all. Saw my line-manager and apparently company policy says we are allowed 3 days bereavement leave for deaths, nothing more. I put my case over to her and she's going to get back to me (she says!).

Looks like being the sick-note option after all! I will not use my annual leave.

The 3 days your manager refers to is paid and is standard across industry, you are asking for additional unpaid compassionate leave and all managers in every business I have worked in are empowered to authorise this. Escalate to the company's HR department, many line managers are poorly trained (if at all) in policy surounding compassionate leave following a bereavement and if that doesnt do the trick, ask your GP for a note for 'stress reaction' to the death. You shouldn't be having to do all this at this difficult time

Maggy
Have followed this since yesteday and feel angry that you have to deal with this as well as the sad loss of your Dad.
In the NHS we get 3 days leave but also additional time though at our managers discretion. I think you are being treated appallingly but as Colin has already said, managers are poorly trained in implementing policies.
Hope you get this sorted before the funeral Monday.
Di

Maggy.

If you have to go down the sick note road then get at least 3 weeks off for Strees brought on by being called to the hospital and your Dad's passing.

Hugs for you and your Mum and family.
Sue

Maggy,

I suppose that at least you know where you stand now. I would follow Sue's advice. Its hard enough losing your Dad, having to cope with additional stress imposed by a company you have served for so long is appalling.

Let us know how things go.

love Theresa

Another update for you all.

I went into work today and got straight onto my H R Department. She was really supportive and said she didn't understand why I was being refused unpaid leave. Said she would get back to me. She has just phoned back and suddenly my line-manager has granted me 2 days unpaid leave plus 3 days paid bereavement leave. Success!!

Thanks to you all for your support. It really did help to convince me I was in the right, and if I am convinced I am right I will argue the toss forever!!

Thanks again.

Well done Maggie for standing your corner. glad you have got your leave. That was stress you didn't need. Hopefully your line manager will have learnt something from the exercise

Ann
Glos

Thanks Ann. Hope she's realised that I am no push-over too!!

Dad would have been proud of me. He was a quiet man, but would always argue for what he thought was right.

So glad that you stuck to your guns and you got the unpaid leave.

Maybe in future your line mananger will have a bit more compassion now.

Now you have that off your shoulders.have a break and make a cuppa and relax.
Hugs
Sue

Sorry for your loss, I've been off the boards for a couple of weeks!
We are allowed 5 compassionate a year then we have to take annual or unpaid leave! a lot of folks just go to their Gp and get a sick note when its something like waht has happened with you. No Gp would refuse. Pity your employers aren't just as sympathetic!!
You take care no
Godbless
Carol

Someone asked me at work today, will I be working next week (the funerals Monday). I never really thought about not going in to work Tuesday, but if I don't feel like I can face it I'm afraid it will be a sick note this time!

Hi Maggy

If you don't feel up to work, then see your doc & get signed off a week, for "grief stress". That way your work has to pay you, but it won't go on your record as work related stress.

Thinking of you Monday.
xx