My daughter passed away unexpectedly 2 months ago. She was only 27. The company I work for gave me 5 days paid bereavement leave. Legally, they are only required to give 2 days. It is impossible to plan and execute a funeral in 2 days or even 5 days. I took 4 weeks off and had to use all of my sick leave, and when that ran out, I was on unpaid sick leave until a lack of money forced me to go back. Now, if I get sick, I don’t have any paid leave left.

Losing a close family member is an emotionally devastating experience, and the time required to grieve, deal with administrative tasks, and adjust to a new life without them cannot be overstated. Current regulations only require employers to provide a meager 2 days of paid bereavement leave, leaving employees with insufficient time to process their grief and handle necessary arrangements. This situation often leads to additional financial and emotional strain.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the average bereavement leave in the United States is just 4 days, while the recommended time needed can extend up to several weeks. Countries like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ireland have already recognized the necessity of more substantial leave packages, offering up to two weeks or more in some cases.

We call upon legislators and employers in Australia to increase the amount of paid bereavement leave to at least 20 days. This would provide employees with the time they desperately need to grieve, plan, and manage end-of-life affairs without the added stress of exhausting their sick leave or suffering financial burdens. This change is not just an economic imperative but a humane practice that respects the emotional well-being of workers.

Sign this petition to urge lawmakers to change the legislation and ensure that no individual has to choose between grieving properly and maintaining financial stability. Let's make bereavement leave a priority and ensure compassionate practices in the workplace.