Paid Bereavement Leave Policy

Purpose: 

Willamette University provides paid bereavement leave to support our employees who need time away from work to attend or make arrangements for the memorial service of a loved one. 

Definitions Related to this Policy:

Family member means spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, step-parents, siblings or step siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and any individual related by blood.  A “child” includes biological, adopted, stepchild, or foster child of the employee or of the employee’s spouse or domestic partner; a person who is or was a legal ward of an employee or of the employee’s spouse of domestic partner; or a person who is or was in a relationship of in loco parentis with the employee or with the employee’s spouse or domestic partner.

Policy: 

1. In the event of the death of an employee’s Family Member, the employee will be allowed time off with pay for up to three (3) working days to attend the memorial service for a family member and/or to make arrangements for a family member’s memorial service. This benefit may be limited, as necessary, at the discretion of the Human Resources Office. 
2. Employees may be required to furnish satisfactory evidence to the Human Resources office to support use of bereavement leave.
3. This policy is separate from any protected bereavement leave available to employees under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA). For specific information on OFLA bereavement leave please contact Human Resources at 503-370-6210, or hr@willamette.edu. 

Effective Date: June 01, 2024
Responsible Person/Primary Contact: AVP for Human Resources
Responsible University Office: Human Resources