Understanding Bereavement Leave in Ontario: A Comprehensive Guide
Answer:
Are bereavement days paid in Ontario? Yes. However, bereavement leave compensation may be more limited than you would expect. In this post, we outline everything you need to know about bereavement leave in Ontario.
The death of a family member or friend can be an incredibly difficult time, and for many individuals, the thought of going to work while grieving can be difficult to navigate. Though everyone should take time to grieve, in Ontario bereavement leave entitlements are relatively short. It is important for employees to understand bereavement leave before they need to use it, as for some, the short time period can be a surprise.
At Soni Law Firm, we are the employment lawyer Toronto residents turn to when looking for assistance with understanding bereavement leave in Ontario and other employment-related questions. In this post, we help you understand the basics of bereavement leave and answer your top questions, including, are bereavement days paid in Ontario?
If you have been denied bereavement leave or have questions about your employment, contact a member of our team. We are committed to helping you understand and protect your rights as an employee and are the employment lawyers you can count on.
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Will I Qualify for Bereavement Pay Ontario Employee Guide
Bereavement pay in Ontario is intended to allow for time off when a loved one has died. However, coverage only applies when a family member has died. If you have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and are wondering if you are entitled to bereavement leave, our quick guide should offer some insight. See
- Bereavement Leave for Parent – if your parent has died, you ARE entitled to bereavement leave in Ontario.
- Bereavement Leave for Grandparent – if your grandparent has died, you ARE entitled to bereavement leave in Ontario.
- Bereavement Leave for Aunt – if your aunt has died, you generally ARE NOT entitled to bereavement leave in Ontario.
- Bereavement Leave for Uncle– if your uncle has died, you generally ARE NOT entitled to bereavement leave in Ontario.
- Bereavement Leave for Non-Family Members – if someone you love who is not family has died, you ARE NOT entitled to bereavement leave in Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bereavement Leave
What is Bereavement?
Bereavement is the state of feeling grief and loss after a loved one has died. It is a natural process that takes time, and for some, working during this period can be challenging. In Ontario, employees are entitled to take up to two bereavement days from work within a calendar year. These bereavement days are unpaid, and an employer can ask for proof that they are reasonable. Additionally, bereavement leave is only allowed for certain family members and excludes close friends and non-immediate family members.
How Can I Prove I Am Entitled to Bereavement?
Though some employees may take your word as enough proof for bereavement leave, it is important to note that employers are permitted to ask for proof that a loved one has died. Presenting a death certificate, obituary, or other form of proof should be acceptable to your employer, and they are able to approve or deny bereavement if the circumstances do not qualify for leave.
How Many Bereavement Days Are You Entitled to In Ontario?
When looking to understand bereavement days, Ontario employers should know that they are entitled to two unpaid bereavement days only when a family member has died. Two days is the basic entitlement that all employees may receive. However, it is important to note that individual employment contracts may allow for longer periods of leave. For instance, federally regulated employees are entitled to up to 10 days of bereavement in Ontario.
Knowing how many bereavement days are you allowed to take in Ontario will depend on your unique employment contract. However, you can feel confident that you are at least entitled to two bereavement leave days in Ontario when a family member dies.
Is Bereavement Leave Paid in Ontario?
According to Ontario labour laws, bereavement days are unpaid. However, some employees may have paid bereavement days outlined within their employment contracts. It is important for employees to review their individual employment contracts to ensure that they receive the benefits that they are entitled to.
What is Considered Family for Bereavement?
When considering bereavement leave in Ontario, immediate family is generally who leave is intended for. Paid bereavement leave in Ontario is not guaranteed, though some employees may have paid bereavement as part of their employment contract. However, in almost all cases, bereavement is for family, not friends or even the family of a spouse or partner. Family members whose deaths would be covered under bereavement include the following.
- Spouse
- Parent
- Child
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Son or daughter-in-law
- Sibling
- A relative who is dependent on the employee.
How Many Bereavement Days Are You Entitled to In Ontario?
When looking to understand bereavement days, Ontario employers should know that they are entitled to two unpaid bereavement days only when a family member has died. Two days is the basic entitlement that all employees may receive. However, it is important to note that individual employment contracts may allow for longer periods of leave. For instance, federally regulated employees are entitled to up to 10 days of bereavement in Ontario.
Knowing how many bereavement days are you allowed to take in Ontario will depend on your unique employment contract. However, you can feel confident that you are at least entitled to two bereavement leave days in Ontario when a family member dies.
How Many Bereavement Days Are You Entitled to In Ontario?
When looking to understand bereavement days, Ontario employers should know that they are entitled to two unpaid bereavement days only when a family member has died. Two days is the basic entitlement that all employees may receive. However, it is important to note that individual employment contracts may allow for longer periods of leave. For instance, federally regulated employees are entitled to up to 10 days of bereavement in Ontario.
Knowing how many bereavement days are you allowed to take in Ontario will depend on your unique employment contract. However, you can feel confident that you are at least entitled to two bereavement leave days in Ontario when a family member dies.
What Can I Do If I Don’t Qualify for Bereavement?
Bereavement leave is intended to allow time off for employees who have lost a loved one and is unpaid time off. It is important to note that bereavement leave does not cover the emotional impact of the loss of a loved one, and in some cases, you may wish for time off work even when you don’t qualify for bereavement leave.
As an employee, you may be able to take time off outside of bereavement to attend a funeral or grieve. Communicating with your employer can be helpful to ensuring that you get the time off that you need, even if it is not officially bereavement leave.
For more information on bereavement leave or for assistance with unjust or unfair dismissal, contact the experts at Soni Law Firm. We are the dismissal lawyer Toronto employees can count on when navigating complex workplace concerns.
Why Soni Law Firm
Soni Law Firm is a boutique employment, human rights, and labour litigation firm. We provide our clients with expert counsel for all types of employment situations including unionized workers and contract employees.
We are a well-established firm with a strong track record. If you are a contract or fixed-term worker who has concerns about your treatment or rights within the workplace, do not hesitate to contact Soni Law Firm. We are here to help you know your rights and the responsibilities of your employer. Book your free consultation with us today.