Bereavement leave is a workplace policy that allows employees to take time off from work following the death of a family member, relative, or close friend. This leave helps employees cope with grief, arrange funerals, and manage related affairs. The duration and whether the leave is paid or unpaid vary depending on the employer and location. Typically, companies offer around three to five days of bereavement leave, but this can be flexible based on individual circumstances

. Legally, bereavement leave is not mandated by federal law in many places, including the U.S., though some states like California guarantee up to five days of leave for family deaths. In the UK, there is no statutory right to bereavement leave except for parental bereavement leave, which provides two weeks off for parents who lose a child under 18 or experience a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. In Ontario, Canada, employees are entitled to up to two days of unpaid bereavement leave annually, while federally regulated employees can get up to 10 days, with some paid

. Employers often establish bereavement leave policies to set clear expectations and provide support during difficult times. These policies may include paid or unpaid leave, eligibility criteria, and procedures for requesting leave. Bereavement leave is also sometimes referred to as compassionate leave, though compassionate leave can have a broader application beyond bereavement

. In summary, bereavement leave is a compassionate workplace provision allowing employees time off to grieve and manage affairs after a loved one's death, with specifics varying by employer and jurisdiction.