Bereavement time off
Last updated: September 22, 2023
This page applies to all regular contract covered, classified, and professional staff.
Unless a collective bargaining agreement states otherwise, the University grants eligible regular staff up to three days of bereavement time off for the death of a family member, including the miscarriage or stillbirth of your child. Employees in nonpermanent classified non-union positions, nonpermanent fixed duration positions represented by SEIU 925 and fixed term professional staff project positions are also eligible.
Bereavement time off is separate from your accrued sick and vacation time off.
Definition of family member
| If you are… | A covered family member is… |
|---|---|
| Classified non-union | Defined by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-01-172 and 357-31-250 |
| Contract covered staff | Determined by your collective bargaining agreement |
| Professional staff | Your spouse, same or opposite sex domestic partner, child, parent, sister, brother, grandparent, or grandchild Your spouse’s or registered domestic partner’s child, parent, or grandparent Those persons in a “step” relationship |
Requesting bereavement time off
Unless your collective bargaining agreement states otherwise, you must take bereavement time off in full-day increments.
- For campus staff: To request bereavement time off, follow your department’s usual request procedures and make the appropriate time off request in Workday.
- For medical centers staff: To request bereavement time off, follow your department’s usual request procedures.
Your manager may require verification of the family member’s death.
Using other time offs for bereavement
Speak to your manager if you would like to use another type of time off for bereavement or condolence purposes. You may be able to use sick or other time off if:
- Your loved one is not covered by your employment program’s or collective bargaining agreement’s definition of family member
- Three days of paid bereavement time off does not adequately cover your bereavement obligations, such as having to travel a long distance
Bereavement time off during probationary or trial service period
You are eligible to take time off for bereavement during your probationary or trial service period; however, your probationary or trial service period lengthens by the number of bereavement days you take.
Additional resources
APS 43.15 Time off and Leave Policy for Classified Non-Union Staff