Appendix A

Definition of Family Members in Relation to Absences

1.1. Illness of a family member:

(a) This leave is granted for urgent family reasons where owing to a serious injury or the immediate presence of a teacher is indispensably required at the place where the family member is – this leave also includes accompanying a member of ones immediate family or near relative to hospital where alternative domestic arrangements cannot be made.

A substitute teacher may be employed for the school days during the absence as specified in 1.1(c) below.

(b) For the purposes of this sub-section, family relationships are defined as follows:

• Immediate family - spouse (spouse also includes a person with whom the teacher is living as husband or wife) father, mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, step-son and step-daughter.
• Near relative - brother, sister, grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandchild.
• Three days leave of absence is also available to teachers who are members of religious communities in respect of the serious illness of a member of the teacher's immediate community.

(c) The maximum, period of absence that shall be granted is:

• 5 school days in a school year in the case of a member of the immediate family
• 3 school days in a school year in the case of a near relative and to teachers who are members of religious communities

These maximum periods of leave include a teacher's statutory entitlement under "Force Majeure" leave.

2.1  Bereavement involving a family member:

(a)  Special Leave with pay is allowed to a teacher in the event of bereavement.
For the purposes of this sub-section, family relationships are defined as follows:

• Immediate family - spouse (spouse also includes a person with whom the teacher is living as husband or wife) father, mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, step-son and step-daughter.
• Near relative - grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandchild, first cousin.
• Inlaw - father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother in law, sister in law and son or daughter in-law.
• Three days leave of absence is also available to teachers who are members of religious communities in respect of the death of a member of the teacher's immediate community.
  

(b)   The maximum period of absence that shall be granted is: 

• 5 consecutive in the case of a member of the immediate family
• Absence for the minimum period necessary to attend the funeral subject  to a maximum of 3 consecutive days in the case of a near relative or in-law

If the death occurs in the evening (after school hours) five or three consecutive days are allowed, as appropriate, starting from the following day;

If the death occurs at the weekend (Saturday/Sunday) five or three consecutive days are allowed, starting from the following day; 

(c)   In the case of immediate family, a substitute teacher may be employed for up to five days. In the case of near relative, in-law or members of Religious Communities a substitute teacher may be employed for the minimum period necessary to attend the funeral subject to a maximum of three days, except in the case of the death of a first cousin where a substitute teacher may only be employed for one school day.

The absence should be recorded as "Bereavement Leave".