Hi,

Can anybody confirm if bereavement leave is the same as sick leave?

i.e. if I have 5 days a year of sick leave, and then my Dad dies and I take 5 days bereavement leave, this comes 'out of' my sick leave?

My boss has just told me that that's the case, as I took bereavement leave in April when my Dad died, and have now taken two days off sick. He's saying I therefore have no sick day left ('you used them all for bereavement').

I can't find any reference to this being the case in my contract, OR under the Holidays Act 2003, and as far as i'm aware they're two separate things (much like you wouldn't expect 'jury leave' to come out of 'annual leave') but I want to have my facts straight before I fight this one. Any advice on what to do is greatly appreciated too.

Thanks!!!