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 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.

STEP 3: Manager can approve up to 24 hours of Bereavement leave as appropriate. The manager may also approve additional Paid Time Off.

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

Source:
¹Texas Government Code 661.902