EC Collective Agreement Bereavement Leave: Understanding the Policy

The EC collective agreement, which governs the working conditions of employees in the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) group within the federal public service, includes provisions for bereavement leave. Bereavement leave allows employees to take time off from work to grieve the loss of a loved one and make necessary arrangements. In this article, we will explore the EC collective agreement bereavement leave policy in greater detail.

Eligibility for Bereavement Leave

According to the EC collective agreement, employees are eligible for bereavement leave in the event of the death of the following individuals:

– Spouse or common-law partner

– Child (natural, adopted or step-child)

– Parent (natural, adopted or step-parent)

– Brother or sister (including step-siblings)

The agreement also recognizes other family members or close friends who have played an important role in the employee`s life, but only if approved by the employer.

Duration of Bereavement Leave

EC collective agreement bereavement leave is granted for up to five working days. Employees may take this leave consecutively or intermittently, subject to the approval of their supervisor. In cases involving travel, the employee may be granted up to an additional two days of bereavement leave to allow for travel time.

Documentation Requirements

Employees requesting bereavement leave must provide their employer with reasonable notice and documentation confirming the death and relationship of the deceased. The documentation must be in the form of an obituary notice or a death certificate. If the funeral or memorial service is not held within the five-day period, the employee may be required to provide additional documentation or a statutory declaration to confirm that they attended the funeral or memorial service.

Compensation for Bereavement Leave

Under the EC collective agreement, employees who take bereavement leave are entitled to their regular salary for the duration of the leave. This means that employees will not suffer a loss of pay when taking time off to grieve the loss of a loved one.

Conclusion

The EC collective agreement bereavement leave policy is an important provision that recognizes the need for employees to take time off to grieve the loss of a loved one. The policy provides for up to five working days of paid leave and requires employees to provide reasonable notice and documentation confirming the death and relationship of the deceased. By understanding the policy, employees can take advantage of this important benefit when they need it most.