Losing someone you love is challenging. The emotions caused by this event can make it difficult to work, which may lead to the question, “Does your Florida employer have to give you time off to attend a funeral?”
This is a good question and one that is answered here. Knowing if you are entitled to time off is important and will help you protect your rights.
Funeral leave is not required in Florida
No state law requires Florida employers to give funeral leave to their workers. The decision to provide this leave is left to individual employers. They can decide whether to offer this time off and whether it will be paid or unpaid.
Employers offering bereavement leave
While it is not legally required, many employers offer this type of leave for their employees. If you are unsure if this is offered where you work, check your handbook, or speak to someone in the HR department. Sometimes, this type of leave is offered as a benefit.
Discriminatory leave policies are not allowed
Even though bereavement leave is not required, employers cannot have a policy that discriminates based on religion, race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
An example of this is if the bereavement leave policy discriminates against people of a certain religion. If this occurs, it may be considered workplace discrimination, which is illegal.
Protecting your rights
The leave you are entitled to depend on your employer. It is best to check your employment handbook or contract to discover what you have. If you believe you have been discriminated against, it may be possible to take legal action. Knowing your legal rights will help you protect them.