JSA And Funeral Attendance

missapril75

Dunroamin wrote: »

You ignore the fact that your link very definitely says "may" be allowed and in "exceptional" circumstances. It also refers to a close friend or a relative, not the relative of a friend!

Well, not really ignoring it. Just making the point that some people are saying it definitely would NOT be allowed by an employer and here's proof that it MAY be allowed.

The same document says it may be allowed for immediate family, spouse etc, but I doubt that means it would be exceptional. I think it's quite normal for such documents to say 'may' and there are numerous examples within the benefits system I believe. One assume it's just done so people don't consider an absolute guarantee.

I have also made the point that someone outside of family who merits a mention from a dying person and whose attendance at the funeral is very much desired might very well be described as a close friend of the person who died.

Just because the OP refers to her as the friend's mother doesn't preclude the existence of a close friendship. The son is the friend of the OP and it would be perfectly natural to refer to the "friend's mother" without announcing further intimate and emotional detail to strangers on a forum.

I'm just allowing the possibility of there being other information we don't have.:)

Spamfree_2

missapril75 wrote: »

Well, not really ignoring it. Just making the point that some people are saying it definitely would NOT be allowed by an employer and here's proof that it MAY be allowed.

The same document says it may be allowed for immediate family, spouse etc, but I doubt that means it would be exceptional. I think it's quite normal for such documents to say 'may' and there are numerous examples within the benefits system I believe. One assume it's just done so people don't consider an absolute guarantee.

I have also made the point that someone outside of family who merits a mention from a dying person and whose attendance at the funeral is very much desired might very well be described as a close friend of the person who died.

Just because the OP refers to her as the friend's mother doesn't preclude the existence of a close friendship. The son is the friend of the OP and it would be perfectly natural to refer to the "friend's mother" without announcing further intimate and emotional detail to strangers on a forum.

I'm just allowing the possibility of there being other information we don't have.:)

The Op would have likely had more luck by picking up the phone and enquiring himself wouldn't he? All he's got is people arguing on an internet forum.

missapril75

princessdon wrote: »

There is ZERO way I would be given paid time off work to attend a funeral miles away for an old friend. I was refused time off for a school friend last month (and yes we were close) that was 5 mins away without taking FLEXI.

Okay. But above is an example of an employer who would do between 1 and 6 days for a close friend. I'll bet they're not the only one.

Spamfree_2

missapril75 wrote: »

Okay. But above is an example of an employer who would do between 1 and 6 days for a close friend. I'll bet they're not the only one.

Benefit system isn't an employer of a claimant. That is the massive difference.

missapril75

Spamfree wrote: »

The Op would have likely had more luck by picking up the phone and enquiring himself wouldn't he? All he's got is people arguing on an internet forum.

That's part of the fun isn't it?

The OP did make an enquiry of the Job Centre and was told no, even though the JSA rules do allow it.

Rights being wrongly denied are hardly unusual. One only has to read these threads to see that.

princessdon

missapril75 wrote: »

Okay. But above is an example of an employer who would do between 1 and 6 days for a close friend. I'll bet they're not the only one.

Quite LA's despite their reputation do not always have the same employee perks as private organisations. My OH is permitted to work from home and take more parental leave when children are ill than myself.

missapril75

Spamfree wrote: »

Benefit system isn't an employer of a claimant. That is the massive difference.

Exactly. I quite agree. This is why I was disagreeing earlier when some folk were saying "that's what would happen to people who were working."


But the context of that post was about people saying employers wouldn't do it. I showed they would.

princessdon

missapril75 wrote: »

Exactly. I quite agree. This is why I was disagreeing earlier when some folk were saying "that's what would happen to people who were working."


But the context of that post was about people saying employers wouldn't do it. I showed they would.

you showed it was down to the discretion of the employer - there are many (especially NMW jobs) who wouldn't allow paid time for this. A "good" employer would, but reality is not all and I'd say few if being honest would pay for someone to be away 1-2 days for a none immediate family funeral.

They'd expect unpaid leave at best - why can't OP take unpaid benefits? If they can afford the trip then a day or two loss in benefits (especially as they have had holidays) isn't an unrealistic expectation surely?

Dunroamin

missapril75 wrote: »

Okay. But above is an example of an employer who would do between 1 and 6 days for a close friend. I'll bet they're not the only one.

You've done it again - jumped from "may" to "would" and forgotten the "exceptional circumstances"!

I've spent virtually all my working life in the public sector and, even here, the rules are normally a maximum of 5 days paid compassionate leave for the death of a spouse, child or parent and a day for the funeral of a more distant relative such as a aunt or uncle.

sniggings

Spamfree wrote: »

I was just wondering if it would be an expensive journey.

it could be, you are allowed a few thousand in the bank and still get benefits, so he could go first class by train or hire a taxis if he wanted to , I still don't see what that has to do with the OP's question or you.