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DOCUMENT TYPE:
Policy
PURPOSE:
The University grants faculty and staff bereavement leave for the death of a close relative or qualified adult.
APPLIES TO:
All faculty and staff appointed to regular positions.
CAMPUS:
Edwards, Lawrence, Juniper Gardens, Parsons, Topeka, Yoder
POLICY STATEMENT:
Faculty and staff may be granted bereavement leave with pay upon the death of a close relative or a qualified adult, or the death of a close relative of a qualified adult. Bereavement leave may be granted in cases where a death affects other relatives or the relatives of qualified adults.
Factors of relationship and necessary travel time will be considered in determining the proper amount of time that will be granted, not to exceed six (6) working days per occurrence. Requests for bereavement leave will be acted upon by the department head.
EXCLUSIONS OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Employees appointed to temporary positions are not covered by this policy.
Bereavement leave for university support staff covered by a bargaining unit will be granted for close relatives as specified in the applicable memorandum of agreement.
CONSEQUENCES:
Unless approved in advance, time taken may be considered an unauthorized absence.
CONTACT:
Human Resources
103 Carruth-O’Leary Hall
1246 W. Campus Road
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-4946
hrdept@ku.edu
APPROVED BY:
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
APPROVED ON:
1994-02-21
EFFECTIVE ON:
1994-02-21
REVIEW CYCLE:
Annual (As Needed)
DEFINITIONS:
Close relative: An individual related by blood, marriage or adoption having a close relationship with a faculty or staff member or with a qualified adult.
Qualified adult: An individual (other than a close relative, employee, or tenant) who has a committed personal relationship with and shares a common domestic life with a faculty or staff member and has done so for the previous 6 continuous months.
CHANGE HISTORY:
03/26/2025: Migration to TeamDynamix from Drupal.
09/20/2024: Updated Human Resource Management (HRM) to Human Resources (HR).
04/28/2016: Updated review cycle date.
08/27/2015: Removed repetitive language in Policy Statement and updated review cycle date.
05/20/2015: Technical Policy cleanup including altered purpose statement and added consequences.
01/23/2015: Policy formatting cleanup (e.g., bolding, spacing).
08/17/2010: Revised Bereavement Leave Policy for all faculty and staff appointed to regular positions approved by Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jeffrey S. Vitter, Lawrence Campus.
02/30/2004: Policy updated to clarify the appropriate manner for reporting bereavement leave on payroll records.
02/21/1994: Bereavement Leave Policy for Faculty and Unclassified Staff promulgated on the Lawrence Campus by the Executive Vice Chancellor.
01/27/1994: Bereavement Leave Policy for Faculty and Unclassified Staff approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to parallel existing policy for Civil Service (now USS) staff.