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What is compassionate leave?

what is compassionate leave | myhronlineAll employees (including casual employees) are entitled to compassionate leave (also known as bereavement leave) but what is compassionate leave and who is entitled to it?

Compassionate leave can be taken when a member of an employee’s immediate family or household:

  • dies or
  • suffers a life-threatening illness or injury.

Immediate family is an employee’s:

  • spouse
  • de facto partner
  • child
  • parent
  • grandparent
  • grandchild
  • sibling, or a
  • child, parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of the employee’s spouse or de facto partner.

Employees will be able to take compassionate leave for other relatives (eg. cousins, aunts and uncles) if they are a member of the employee’s household, or if the employer agrees to this.

Amount of compassionate leave

All employees are entitled to 2 days compassionate leave each time an immediate family or household member dies or suffers a life threatening illness or injury.

The compassionate leave can be taken as:

  • ​a single continuous 2 day period, or
  • 2 separate periods of 1 day each, or
  • any separate periods the employee and the employer agree.

An employee does not accumulate compassionate leave. It can be taken any time an employee needs it.

If an employee is already on another type of leave (eg. annual leave) and needs to take compassionate leave, the employee can use compassionate leave instead of the other leave.

Payment for compassionate leave

Full-time and part-time employees receive paid compassionate leave and casual employees receive unpaid compassionate leave.

Full-time and part-time employees are paid at their base pay rate for the ordinary hours they would have worked during the leave.

This doesn’t include separate entitlements such as incentive-based payments and bonuses, loadings, monetary allowances, overtime or penalty rates.

Compassionate leave can’t be cashed out.

Notice and evidence

An employee taking compassionate leave must give their employer notice as soon as they can (this may be after the leave has started). The employee must tell the employer of the period, or expected period, of the leave.

An employer can request evidence about the reason for compassionate leave (eg. a death or funeral notice or statutory declaration). This request for evidence has to be reasonable. If the employee doesn’t provide the requested notice or evidence they may not get compassionate leave.

GAP Communications started with a 3-man operation and has now grown into a National Operation of over 300 staff. People Business has been associated with our company on a consulting basis since its inception. During the turmoil of the last six years their guidance has played a crucial and integral part in the successful growth of our company. Adam Clark and his team manage to combine a client first approach to business with a down to earth humanitarian approach to the issues at hand. I can't recommend Adam and his team strongly enough.
Andrew BateyManaging Director, GAP Communications
Ausmelt Limited has approximately 50 professional qualified staff comprising mainly metallurgists and engineers. As a small company, Ausmelt does not have a full time HR Manager, opting to use the consultancy services of Adam Clark and his team. Adam has successfully work hand-in-hand with Ausmelt management to help with staff recruitment, staff development plans, performance planning and assessment, short and long term staff incentive schemes, salary benchmarking, staff termination and redundancy, counselling and job search assistance. I have been more than happy with the level of professionalism, enthusiasm and expertise that Adam and his team has provided to our Company.
Paul AbbotManaging Director, Ausmelt Limited
Adam and his team have delivered an outsourced HR solution to our company for the past 10 years. Adam is a natural fit to our organization and I now consider him part of our senior management team. Once goals are determined he is able to deliver the required outcomes in a timely and professional manner. He provides excellent advice and is always reliable. Adam also handles our recruitment needs which has saved us thousands in agency fees. In summary I would say "Highly recommended".
Rob GreenCEO, CommTel Communications Pty Ltd
Creative Brands has two iconic Australian brands, “Australis” cosmetics and "Le Tan" sunscreens and tanners. As a relatively small company with a staff of 60 we were unable to justify the appointment of a full time HR Manager. As such the flexible and cost effective package offered by People Business represented an ideal fit for our organization. We were able to draw on a comprehensive suite of HR services which were delivered in a professional manner at all times. Taking into consideration both quality and cost I am happy to recommend Adam Clark and his team as a viable and pragmatic HR solution.
Stephen MasonManaging Director, Creative Brands Pty Ltd
Adam and his team have provided an outsourced HR solution to our organisation for 4 years, effectively becoming a part time member of the senior management team, fulfilling all HR requirements typically provided by a Senior HR Manager. Adam successfully recruited around 30 people to our company, a number of which comprised senior and middle management roles. I believe that his business represents a cost effective HR option ideally suited to small and/or growing companies and I have no hesitation in recommending Adam Clark and his team to similar organisations.
Hugh GleesonChief Executive Officer, United Energy and Multinet Gas
I've worked with Adam and his team for over 3 years, developing and implementing an organisational HR System for Stornoway's 50+ permanent staff. As a medium-sized enterprise, I needed cost-effective HR support and someone my staff would be comfortable with. I'm confident that, with their ongoing support, I can continue to meet my HR needs without an in-house specialist.
Tim GardnerGeneral Manager, Stornoway Contracting Pty Ltd
Adam and his team have been facilitating a number of training sessions for City of Port Phillip over the last few years. People Business have always been available to work with me to provide the most relevant, well organised training sessions to meet the diverse needs of our staff.
Leanne BickleyOrganisation Development & Training Consultant, City of Port Phillip
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