Compassionate leave
The University is committed to ensuring that employees are able to balance work and home commitments and to ensure equality of opportunity. It is recognised that there are a number of circumstances, both planned and unplanned which may require an employee to take time away from work in addition to normal annual leave provisions.
Definition
This is for employees who have suffered a bereavement of a close relative (defined as a spouse or partner, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, step-parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, brother or sister, stepbrother or stepsister, or brother or sister-in-law) or need to attend to urgent family affairs or because of the prolonged illness of a family member. The employee can also request compassionate leave if they suffer the loss of a close friend – for example, to attend the funeral.
It is also for employees who are experiencing trauma as a result of a protected characteristic, e.g. race or religion to allow them time to seek help, advice and support. Ill health related to such trauma must be dealt with through the sickness procedure.
Leave period
Leave of up to two weeks can be approved by the line manager. It is paid at the manager’s discretion – please note up to a week’s paid leave is standard at the university.
If an employee doesn’t feel able to approach their manager they should contact their HR Business Partner. If the absence is due to trauma connected to a protected characteristic, it is expected that the time off requested will be granted. Where a manager feels this is not possible, they must contact the Director of HR Services before responding to the employee.
Leave in excess of two weeks is at the discretion of the Dean or Director. If an employee feels unable to request the time off to their Dean or Director, they can contact their HR Business Partner to discuss in confidence.