Bereavement Leave Including SYA Process

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The following extracts are Tesco policy regarding Bereavement Leave including the process for when an employee returns to work from Bereavement Leave.

POLICIES FOR OUR PEOPLE 2.15

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Our Approach

We recognise the need to support any employee if a close member of their family dies. in these situations we will provide up to 5 days bereavement leave. This is paid leave (payment for Bereavement Leave in distribution is P60 or contractual earnings whichever is the higher) for personal grieving, and every effort should be made to be as compassionate as possible.

The following list should help you determine who would normally be considered a close family member:

— Spouse/Civil Partner/Partner
— Parent/Child
— Brother/Sister
— Grandparent
— Partner of Parent
— Parent of Partner

This is not a definitive list and a Manager's personal knowledge of that employee and their circumstances might lead to a decision to treat other family members as close family. In a situation where a close friend has died, we may want to consider providing 1 or 2 days paid leave, although this is at the Manager's discretion.

For part time workers, bereavement leave is normally granted pro-rate depending on the number of days worked. However a common sense approach should be applied in each individual case, using discretion where appropriate. Please contact your Personnel Manager Group (Stores) or Personnel Manager (Head Office and Distribution) if you need further clarification.

SUPPORTING YOUR ATTENDANCE

SYA 4.3

WELCOME BACK MEETING

Welcome Back Meeting following a bereavement

* Only a manager can complete a Welcome Back Meeting for an individual returning
   from an absence due to a bereavement.

* Check to see how they are coping. Ensure you check with the individual how they
   are coping later in the week as well.

* You would not calculate the individual review level or arrange an Attendance Review
   Investigation Meeting as this would be inappropriate at this time.

* If the individual was absent directly following a period of bereavement leave, and
   this was due to sickness as a result of bereavement (for example, individual has
   three days Company bereavement leave followed by one week sickness), check they
   are fit to return. Discuss the reason for sickness, agree any next steps where
   applicable.

* Let the individual know that any absence due to company bereavement leave will
   be included in any future review level calculation - but removed at any future
   Attendance Review Investigation Meeting as a mitigating circumstance, if it falls
   within the rolling 26 week review level period.

* If there was any other absence following the company bereavement leave this will
   be taken into account at any future Attendance Review Investigation Meeting if it
   falls within the 26 week period used to calculate the review level.

* Sickness absence that occurs as a result of a bereavement, that does not directly
   follow the period of bereavement leave, for example the individual is sick due to 
   bereavement six weeks after the bereavement and they have been back at work
   during the six weeks.

SYA 5.18

MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES

Bereavement

* Any absence that falls within the company bereavement policy is excluded at
   Attendance Review Investigation as a mitigating circumstance. The bereavement
   leave policy allows for staff to be absent for up to five days following the death of
   a close family member

* We do not hold an Attendance Review Investigation Meeting with any individual
   directly after they have returned from a period of bereavement leave, even if the 
   individual has had sickness or unplanned absence directly after the bereavement
   leave. For example:

      - Individual has three days' bereavement leave then is sick due to bereavement
        for 5 clays (no return to work in between).

* Future Attendance Review Investigation Meetings may take place. When reviewing
   the last 26 weeks there may be a period of bereavement leave. In these cases the 
   review level is calculated including the bereavement leave.



Addendum

Usdaw Statement regarding bereavement leave for when a pet dies

Unfortunately there is no facility to take bereavement leave for the death of a pet. However, the Union would expect managers to take a sympathetic view and look at other options such as shift swap, holidays or unpaid leave where possible.