Question about taking time off

[Cook1]

Ok, little background info, I work 40+ hours a week at a local grocery store while going to school full time. I'm 21 and still living with my parents to try and cut down on the bills (Please don't flame me for living with my parents still, it's a must do because of financial reasons). This morning at 8am my grandmother passed away...we were close. In January I went to live with her for two months (Took time off school and work to do so) because she needed some help. I was able to get her out walking again and able to get her off oxygen for a few hours of the day, which was huge at the time. Ok, so anyways, she passed away this morning, and since then I've been trying to find ways that I can get out to her funeral in Utah. As it turns out, I can't do it financially with all my school bills and such, and I know she understands this and she knows that I love her, so that's not a big deal. But since I am a youngin, I don't have much for work experience. Would it look bad if I took 3-4 days off since she was my grandmother and not a parent or sibling? Reason why I would want 3-4 days is because both my parents are leaving, and they need me to get done with their errands (running over car bills, rent, and etc) and my grandmother left me her dog in her will, so I have to get ready for the new kid on the block here (Already have one dog).To be honest...I'm an emotional reck here myself. And it hasn't even really hit me yet. So does that sound unreasonable? Am I asking too much since I'm not traveling to Utah or is it understandable?

-Thanks

 

[RossMAN]

Yes that is totally reasonable.

Most companies offer "bereavement" time off, ask your manager or human resources department.

 

[amdskip]

Heck yes take those days off. If the grocery store is a good company, they will pay you at least one day of pay too.

My condolences

 

[MrCodeDude]

Wait. Why can't your parents pay for your trip out to Utah?

Plane Tickets are pretty cheap.

 

[z0mb13]

yes, its called bereavement

 

[Cook1]

My parents were just out to AZ a week and a half ago when she went into critial condition. They were on vacation at the time in Ocean City and they had to change their travel plans which costed them $1000+ just to get down there. My family isn't all that rich, money isn't that important to us. Well I mean it is, but it's not like we have money just laying around to spend. And since they had to go down to AZ they missed more work which meant missing more pay. And now they just spent about the same to fly down there, get hotels and get a rental car. They are finiacially tapped right now as well because of this.

And for some reason, I just feel guilty for wanting to take 3-4 days off when the schedule for this week has already been made. That's why I started this thread, to get some reinsurance that it's not a bad thing to want this. This is not a pity thread or a poor me...I just feel guilty for wanting to take the time off.

 

[NetWareHead]

Originally posted by: Cook1But since I am a youngin, I don't have much for work experience. Would it look bad if I took 3-4 days off since she was my grandmother and not a parent or sibling?

My condolences.

Unless you are trying to make manager's position at this place or have a career planned at this grocery stores or others in the area then take then 4 days off anyway. You shouldn't have a problem, just tell them what happened and most reasonable managers will grant you the time off.

 

[Cook1]

No, not planning a career here...thanks for all the responses. I won't feel so guilty going in tomarrow and requesting the time off then.

 

[Hankysmoo]

Definitely take take the time off dude. Family is always first and foremost.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Hankysmoo
Definitely take take the time off dude. Family is always first and foremost.

And condolences to you and your family.

 

[bootymac]

You can definitely take time off. I think they would be total asshats if they didn't let you

 

[PowerEngineer]

First off, my condolences to you. Take care of yourself while you adjust to your loss.

There are federal (and often state) laws that require employers to allow employees to take leave from their jobs (with no penalty) for certain events, such as the death of an immediate family member. I believe that grandparents qualify. This doesn't necessarily mean that your employer must pay you for the time you miss work (although they might). It does mean that they can't fire you or take other measures against you for taking some time off. Some of this may depend on your job status; if you are a regular full-time employee then you should be okay.

That said, I wouldn't tell them that you needed the time to run errands for your parents or prepare to receive a dog! Stick with your need for personal time to recover emotionally. It's true, and they will feel better about giving the time to you.

Good luck

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

I wouldn't see why there'd be a problem. Family comes first no matter what. Sorry to hear of your loss.

My grandpa was very close and dear to me as well. When he passed away everything went down for me as well. Just wasn't in the mood to do anything at all, work and school. I told my employer I needed two weeks off. Granted that was unreasonable, so be it, it was a McD job anyway. If they didn't grant that, I'd say good-bye to the job without hesitation. But they've been very lenient on giving me time off in the past so they didn't question my request at all. Even dropped out of evening correspondent school. My mind just wasn't into it. Set myself straight about 3 months later and went back to regular college during the day.

I agree, don't go too detailed into what the time is for, they'll understand.

It took me awhile before I was truly devasted and broke down in tears. It was all too sudden and I didn't know how to react to the news at all.

Again, my condolences

 

[oogabooga]

My condolences, Most companies provide you with information about your job. I'm sure if you recieved such packet it is noted. At the place i was working this summer (Kelly-Moore Paints) it said you can take two paid days, in addition to an additional week if needed (personal time off) and you could request even more time if you needed it. Most places understand and i wish you the best of luck in the comming weeks.

work places understand having you work after the death of a family member because you HAVE to leads to a very poor work environment. Some companies will even MAKE you take the time off. When people hear what happen they get pissed for you, etc, it just leads to trouble.
Though Aunts and Uncle's arn't considered immediate family in some situations, i think Grandparents are more often than not considered such.

Once again, I wish for you my best. - Oogabooga