Notifying/Requesting and Approving Bereavement Leave

Notifying/Requesting Bereavement Leave

1. Notification
   The faculty member or academic professional or administrative (P&A) employee provides notice of absence to the responsible administrator/supervisor due to the death of an immediate or other family member at the earliest possible time, and the likely length of absence from work. If requested to do so by the responsible administrator/supervisor, the faculty member or P&A employee will provide substantiation of the reason for the leave.
2. Additional Leave Request
   If needed, the faculty member or P&A employee submits a request for up to two additional days of paid bereavement leave for death of an immediate family member. The faculty member or P&A employee also submits request to the responsible administrator/supervisor for additional paid leave time available (e.g., vacation) or unpaid leave time (e.g., personal) as desired.
3. Absence Card
   The faculty member or P&A employee submits an Absence Card (UM 506) to the responsible administrator/supervisor, documenting days of paid bereavement leave by indicating days absent with a note under the reason column indicating that days were used for paid bereavement leave. Other paid days requested (e.g., vacation) and any additional unpaid days (e.g., personal) of leave requested should also be recorded in the appropriate areas on the form.

Approving Bereavement Leave

1. Verification of Appointment
   The responsible administrator/supervisor verifies the faculty or P&A employee's appointment descriptors to confirm bereavement leave provisions available.
2. Length of Leave for Immediate Family Member
   The responsible administrator/supervisor determines leave provision of up to five days for death of an immediate family member.
3. Additional Leave Approval
   The responsible administrator/supervisor reviews and approves requests for additional paid or unpaid leave, considering both employee and departmental needs.
4. Documentation
   The responsible administrator/supervisor confirms that bereavement and other leave information is provided to appropriate departmental/unit staff for departmental records and when appropriate documentation in HRMS. If requested by the responsible administrator/supervisor, the faculty member or P&A employee provides substantiation of the reason for the leave.