Bereavement Leave

This is personal leave provided in the event of a death of an eligible family member.¹ Bereavement leave may be approved for up to 24 hours to allow time to make appropriate arrangements, attend the funeral and take care of other related bereavement needs. The days of leave taken do not need to be consecutive.

Eligibility

All full-time and part-time (at least .5FTE/20 hours per week) benefits eligible employees are eligible for Bereavement Leave.

Eligible family member includes:

• Your spouse, and
• Your or your spouse’s:
  • Parents/Stepparents,
  • Children/Stepchildren,
  • Brothers/Stepbrothers
  • Sisters/Stepsisters,
  • Grandparents/Step grandparents and
  • Grandchildren/Step grandchildren.
    
    

Process for Taking Leave

STEP 1: Employee requests time off through the timekeeping system and follows their Departmental Time Off Procedures.

STEP 2: Manager can approve up to 24 hours of Bereavement leave as appropriate. The manager may also approve additional Paid Time Off.

STEP 3: Manager is encouraged to remind employee of the Employee Assistance Program support available.

Source:
¹Texas Government Code 661.902

This is personal leave provided in the event of a death of a coworker who was actively employed or on leave at the time of their passing.  This leave provides up to 4 hours to attend the funeral or memorial services for the employee. If the coworker is also a family member, the total number of hours available for bereavement leave remains 24 hours. 

Eligibility

All full-time and part-time (at least .5FTE/20 hours per week) benefits eligible employees are eligible for this Bereavement Leave.

STEP 1: Employee contacts the manager as soon as possible to request this time off from their regular work schedule. The employee should explain the need for the number of days requested (e.g. out of state arrangements, etc.)

STEP 2: Employee requests time off through the timekeeping system and follows their Departmental Time Off Procedures.

• Non-exempt employees should request FRL-Funeral Leave.
• Exempt employees should request time using the 4 Hour Rule.

STEP 3: Manager can approve up to 4 hours of Bereavement Leave as appropriate while still maintaining operations of the department or unit.

STEP 4: Manager is encouraged to remind their staff of the Employee Assistance Program support available.