Hi,

Your Trust will probably have a limit on how long staff can take off for bereavement - at my old Trust it was two weeks. Best check with your Union rep or HR to avoid accidentally breaching that and moving into unauthorised absence territory. 

We all cope differently. I've had staff taking just a couple of days off following the death of a loved one because they found the routine of working and the support of their colleagues helped. Others have needed far far more time. My advice to them was to see their GP and explain how stressed the thought of returning to work made them feel. Without exception, their GPs signed them off due to stress and anxiety - which meant their absence was authorised. 

It will get more manageable with time - so take the time you need but avoid breaching HR rules if you possibly can.

Best wishes

Dave

Hi,

Your Trust will probably have a limit on how long staff can take off for bereavement - at my old Trust it was two weeks. Best check with your Union rep or HR to avoid accidentally breaching that and moving into unauthorised absence territory. 

We all cope differently. I've had staff taking just a couple of days off following the death of a loved one because they found the routine of working and the support of their colleagues helped. Others have needed far far more time. My advice to them was to see their GP and explain how stressed the thought of returning to work made them feel. Without exception, their GPs signed them off due to stress and anxiety - which meant their absence was authorised. 

It will get more manageable with time - so take the time you need but avoid breaching HR rules if you possibly can.

Best wishes

Dave