Bereavement Leave

 

Purpose

To define benefit parameters, terms of eligibility, and the administrative process for accessing leave with pay in the event of a family member’s death.

 

Statement

Bargaining Unit Employees

Terms and conditions for accessing bereavement leave for employees subject to collective bargaining agreements shall be governed by those respective agreements; failing such provisions, Board policies and administrative rules shall apply.

Management, Exempt, and Confidential Employees

• Eligibility Provisions
  • In the event of the death of an employee’s family member, or due to pregnancy loss including miscarriage or stillbirth, employees shall be granted bereavement leave of up to forty (40) hours of absence with pay for time required for the purpose of grieving, attending the funeral, or making the necessary arrangements.
  • For the purposes of this agreement, a “family member” shall be interpreted as:
    1. The spouse of a covered individual;
    2. A child of a covered individual or the child’s spouse or domestic partner;
    3. A parent of a covered individual or the parent’s spouse or domestic partner;
    4. A sibling or step-sibling of a covered individual or the siblings or step-sibling's spouse or domestic partner;
    5. A grandparent of a covered individual or the grandparent’s spouse or domestic partner;
    6. A grandchild of a covered individual or the grandchild’s spouse or domestic partner;
    7. The domestic partner of a covered individual;
    8. An aunt, uncle, niece, nephew of a covered individual; or
    9. Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with a covered individual is the equivalent of a family relationship.
  • Up to forty hours of additional bereavement leave may also be taken under the provisions of the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA). In these cases, the employee must use paid leave or sick leave accruals (in that order) to remain in paid status.
  • In the event of the death of an employee’s coworker, or member of the College community with whom the employee has a close relationship, the employee shall be granted up to eight hours, as leave with pay for the purpose of attending the funeral. Additional time, if needed, shall be deducted from accrued paid leave.
• Requesting Leave
  • Employees may request bereavement time off through their direct supervisor, indicating the specific familial relationship to confirm eligibility, and any other pertinent circumstances. In the case of unusual circumstances, the supervisor may require a certificate from a medical doctor be provided to Human Resources, or other acceptable source as proof of death.
  • Hours/days taken shall be logged and designated as bereavement leave on the employee’s timesheet.
  • Leave requested beyond forty hours may be requested in accordance with applicable family leave statutes, employees should reach out to Human Resources for assistance in requesting leave.
    
    

Part-Time Employees

Part-time non-bargaining employees may access accrued paid sick time in a family bereavement situation as per applicable family leave statute. Family members shall be defined as above in the management, exempt, and confidential employee eligibility provisions.

 

 

---