Compassionate leave - anyone know please?

I don't think you have any rights at all. Every workplace varies and I don't think there is a legal minimum standard.

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I'm sorry about your Uncle, it must be a sad time for you and your family. I don't know the answer to your Q I'm afraid. I think it is down to individual company policy. I work in the Public Sector and we are allowed compassionate leave for Spouse,Parents,siblings,children and Grandparents. We are not expected to "owe" the hours back.

Hope you get something sorted,x

Oh Atticus that is awful. I'm not an employment lawyer so I don't know the definative answer. However, when my uncle died I was only entitled to a half day, but the circunstances were dreadful and complex. My Manager spoke to Personnel on my behalf to explain the difficulties and I was granted two days (funeral was on a Thursday) which was not in line with policy. I have to say, I did have an amazing Manager. Could you approach HR or your line Manager, steel yourself, and appeal to their better nature? ?

I'm very sorry to hear about your uncle.

I think it's pretty normal to either have to make the hours up or take holiday- I know my old employers only gave compassionate leave for immediate family.

That is awful Atticus. If you think that you could muster up the courage without getting too upset then is it worth trying to talk to your Manager again? Maybe they don't realise that you were close? My uncles death was sadly the stuff of national news so that may have swayed my employers decision too.

When my granny died (in a different country) I was allowed to take 3 days annual leave but that didn't even take me up to the day of the funeral, I was expected back to work that day. They wouldn't give me more holidays even though i had entitlement left or unpaid leave. In the end my only choices were AWOL or sick. I chose sick (even though I wasn't) Some company's policies are pants

If they may be sinking then definately starting preparing your CV. I utterly hate my job at the moment, but it is almost recession proof so I am kind of trapped. I dare not move in case I go into something more fulfilling but less stable. It really is awful that you will have to take this as leave (lets not dress it up as compassionate leave) but maybe a positive thing will come out of it if it motivates you to move on. Take care.