The loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things a person can go through, and the last thing they may want to deal with while mourning is having to go to work.
Walmart employs over 1.5 million people – so what rights do these workers have when they need to take bereavement leave? Here’s everything to know about Walmart’s bereavement leave policy:
Walmart Bereavement Leave Policy
Walmart allows employees to take up to three days of bereavement leave if an immediate relative passes away. Employees who take bereavement leave will also usually be paid for the time they take off, and in some circumstances, they can also request longer periods off work as a Personal Leave of Absence.
If you want to know more about Walmart’s bereavement policy, check out the information below.
Who does Walmart class as an immediate relative?
Walmart’s policy guidelines specify that an “immediate relative” is defined as somebody that an employee is related to.
This includes by birth, adoption, marriage, domestic partnership, or civil union, and this can include spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandparents, grandchildren, or someone that the employee lives with.
This fairly wide definition allows employees to take bereavement leave for the loss of the closest family and loved ones. The guidelines state that bereavement leave can also be granted for other individuals’ death at a manager’s discretion.
How much time off do Walmart employees get for bereavement leave?
Standard bereavement leave at Walmart can be up to a maximum of three days, decided by the employee’s supervisor.
Additionally, the supervisor may consider a number of factors when determining the amount of leave to grant, such as:
- The employee’s relationship to the deceased
- The travel time necessary for the employee to attend a funeral or to be with their family
- The amount of time the employee has already taken off in the past 12 months
- The impact that their absence might have on the operation of their Walmart facility
Does Walmart pay employees during bereavement leave?
With the exception of temporary employees, Walmart will pay all employees who take bereavement leave at their standard hourly rate for the number of hours that they would have been expected to work otherwise.
However, this only applies to the maximum of three days covered by standard bereavement leave.
Does Walmart allow bereavement leave longer than three days?
If an employee decides that they need more than the standard three days off, then they can instead apply for a Personal Leave of Absence, which may cover a longer period.
Unlike the standard three-day bereavement leave, these longer leaves of absence aren’t paid as standard, so workers may have to use up any paid time off they have earned if they don’t want to miss out on pay during this period.
Does the law require Walmart to provide bereavement leave?
Walmart’s bereavement policy is actually more generous than the law, as there is currently no federal statute requiring employers to provide bereavement leave.
The only state that has passed such a law is Oregon, which allows workers to take up to 12 weeks off per year for bereavement leave – although, unlike Walmart’s standard three-day leave, this is generally unpaid.
In the case you have to take bereavement leave, it is best to double-check your Walmart paycheck stubs to ensure you have been paid during the time off (if eligible).
Additionally, you can also see my guide on transferring between Walmart locations.
If you are a Walmart employee, you can also see our guide posts on if Walmart drug test, Walmart firing & termination policy, and Walmart late policy.
Conclusion: What is Walmart’s Bereavement Policy?
Walmart’s bereavement policy allows employees to take up to three days off work if somebody in their immediate family passes away.
Supervisors may also grant bereavement leave due to the death of other relatives or loved ones. In addition, employees will still be paid for this time off.
Longer periods of leave are also possible in some circumstances, although this leave will not necessarily be paid.
