3 days off for a funeral

A question about : 3 days off for a funeral

Hi,

All I seem to be getting at present are problems !!!

I now have a member of staff whos Grandfather died at the week end and the funeral is on 23rd december 09 in Windsor. Our business is in Manchester this is our busy time of the year. I dont allow holidays in December, but obviously she can have the time off, the problem is she wants 3 days off. Am I wrong to say no to this?

Thank you in advance
cmac

Best answers:

• Where I worked before you were allowed this as normal and if say the funeral was on the 23rd you would be allowed the 22nd, 23rd, 24th off
  I think it would be cruel not to let her have the time off. I know its your busiest time but funerals are not something you can delay or avoid. And to be fair im sure she would rather be working and still have her grandad alive if she had a choice.
• Could they not just finish a bit earlier the day before the funeral so they could travel down the come back the day of the funeral so be available for work the following day?
  I live 200 miles away from my family and this is what I did when my nan passed away
• Put yourself in her place - three days is not the end of the world for you and I am sure your others will all help fill the gap. Family ties are important and she needs your support
• When my nan died I flew back home for the funeral and then back here that evening because of work commitments same as you prettypennies.
• I know it will be hard letting clients down but im sure they would understand given the circumstances. Give them enough notice. Is it possible to stay open later to cover?
• Wow what a scrooge , glad ive never had a heartless boss like you. Surely you can pay cash the same wages to get someone to fill in if its so urgent.
• can i just add to this
  i totally get where your coming from (im a hairdresser) we get like triple booked at christmas so totally understand, BUT on the other hand i can see your side of things and theres
  do you not have a jounior that could help out more etc... or know a mobile hairdresser that could help out etc.. ring people and rebook where possible etc... i only had the day off for my grans funeral but i didnt have to travel though.
• It's perfectly easy to travel to London from Manchester the evening before the funeral and travel back afterwards. In fact it's perfectly possible to travel down, attend the funeral and travel back in the same day. I think asking for three days off to attend a funeral is a bit much.
• Why not offer to help her out ie if she can only afford the coach and the train is faster suggest she works perhaps the morning of the day before and buy her a ticket.
  Frankly though if you were my boss and adding pressure to what is already a distressing time I'd be reconsidering my future with your company.
  These things happen a decent boss and human being doesn't put their company above human distress I think your comment I want to be as fair as possible, but not to the detriment of my business says it all about you and how much consideration and feeling you have for your staff.
  Don't think your other staff (and maybe your customers too) won't be put off by your heartlessness and consider moving elsewhere too. I wouldn't use a hairdresser who treated their employees the way you appear to want to.
• i think if one of my collegeues was off at christmas id end up sat in a corner having a mental breakdown because it gets that busy
• OP post your question in the employment and job seeking board, and ask people what time their employers allow them to take off if a grandparent dies.
• Well guys thank you for your thoughts both the helpful and the not so - great to know the world is so divided.