Bereavement Leave

Policy Statement

Durham Technical Community College values the unique experiences of individuals and the diversity of the College community. The College strives to adopt and sustain inclusive practices, policies, and procedures while fostering an environment where all feel valued, respected, and safe. Understanding that periods of bereavement are unique and personal to each employee, the College provides paid bereavement leave so employees may have time to grieve, attend services, and handle matters related to their loved one’s passing.

Procedure

Bereavement leave with pay is granted to eligible employees in the event of the loss of a loved one, including the loss of a child during pregnancy, as follows:

• Full-time employees working forty (40) or more hours per week are granted up to thirty-two (32) hours per calendar year.

• Full-time employees working thirty (30) to thirty-nine (39) hours per week are granted up to twenty-four (24) hours per calendar year.

Employees must notify their direct supervisor via College email, phone call, or text/chat message as soon as possible when commencing bereavement leave and must record time requested and taken in the Employee Leave System. 

Employees who need additional time must use accrued leave (annual, sick, or bonus/special) or compensatory time off. Along with recording the time requested via the Employee Leave System, employees should notify their direct supervisor via email, phone call, or text/chat message as soon as possible.    

In the event of a Durham Tech colleague’s death, an employee may attend services during their work hours without using leave. However, if an employee wishes to attend services for a colleague’s loved one, the employee must use bereavement leave or other accrued leave/time off.

Definition

For the purposes of this policy, eligible employees are permanent full-time employees who work thirty (30) or more hours per week.