Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences we face in life. During such challenging times, having the support and understanding of your employer can make a world of difference. Target recognizes the importance of allowing employees the time and space to grieve, make necessary arrangements, and be with family. That‘s why the company has established a clear and comprehensive bereavement policy.
In this article, we‘ll take an in-depth look at the details of Target‘s bereavement leave policy—what it covers, who is eligible, and how to utilize it should you need it. We‘ll also explore why having a supportive policy is so crucial and how Target‘s measures up to other major retailers. By the end, you‘ll have a thorough understanding of your rights and options as a Target employee.
The Importance of Bereavement Leave
Before diving into the specifics of Target‘s policy, let‘s discuss why having dedicated bereavement leave is so valuable. The grieving process is intensely personal and looks different for everyone. Some people may need just a day or two to attend a funeral, while others require more extended time to not only handle logistics but also emotionally process the loss. Having to balance those needs with work responsibilities can be extremely stressful and impede the healing process.
Furthermore, returning to work too quickly after a loss can impact an employee‘s wellbeing and job performance. Experts agree that grief can have significant mental and physical effects, including difficulty concentrating, anxiety, fatigue, and even reduced immunity. Pressuring employees to return before they‘re ready ultimately hurts both the individual and the company.
On the other hand, when an employer provides ample paid bereavement leave, it sends a powerful message of empathy, trust and support. Employees feel valued and cared for as human beings, not just workers. That kind of compassion fosters loyalty, higher engagement and greater productivity in the long run. It‘s simply good business to prioritize employees‘ wellbeing.
The Details of Target‘s Bereavement Policy
Now, let‘s get into the nitty-gritty of what Target actually offers. The company provides both paid and unpaid bereavement leave to eligible employees who have experienced the loss of a family member or close friend. Here are the key things to know:
Leave Length and Purpose
Target allows up to 3 scheduled workdays of bereavement leave, which can be taken consecutively or split up as needed. This leave can be used for:
- Attending the funeral or memorial service
- Making arrangements for the funeral, burial or estate
- Attending will readings or other legal proceedings
- Handling any other matters related to the loss
Importantly, Target will also help employees deal with practical concerns after the passing of a spouse or partner. This includes things like updating marital status and tax information, transferring assets, and changing life insurance beneficiaries. Having assistance with these stressful tasks can be a huge relief.
Covered Family Members
Target takes a broad and inclusive view of which relationships qualify for bereavement leave. The policy covers three main categories:
-
Immediate family: Spouses, partners, parents (including step and in-laws), children (including step, foster and stillborn), siblings, grandparents and grandchildren
-
Extended family: Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins
-
Close non-family: Neighbors, friends or other people with whom the employee had a close, family-like bond
Target evaluates each leave request individually to account for the employee‘s unique circumstances. The company aims to be caring and empathetic rather than adhering to rigid definitions of "closeness."
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for paid bereavement leave, Target employees must meet the following criteria:
- Maintaining an average of 20+ scheduled hours per week
- Having worked at Target for at least 6 consecutive months
- Being classified as non-exempt (hourly) under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Part-time team members, seasonal workers, and some other limited roles are typically not eligible for paid leave, though they can request unpaid time. The one exception is in San Francisco, where local laws require providing paid leave to all employees.
Those who don‘t yet qualify for paid leave may still access up to 3 days of unpaid bereavement leave as long as they average 20 hours weekly and have been with Target at least 90 days.
Requesting Leave
The process for requesting bereavement leave is straightforward, though there are a few key deadlines to keep in mind. Employees simply need to notify their team leader or HR as soon as the need arises. For paid leave, the request should be submitted before noon on the Monday of the week it will be taken.
While Target trusts its employees and does not require any formal documentation, the company does reserve the right to ask for verification of the death or the employee‘s relation to the deceased. This is done only rarely and on a case-by-case basis.
It‘s also important to note that Target limits paid bereavement to 4 instances per rolling 24 month period. Any leave taken beyond that will be unpaid. This policy ensures equal treatment while protecting against potential abuse.
Managerial Best Practices
For the Target bereavement policy to have its intended supportive effect, managers and HR must handle leave requests with the utmost sensitivity and care. Here are some guidelines for leaders:
- Respond to requests promptly, ideally within the same business day
- Express your sincere condolences and ask how else you can help
- Assure the employee to take all the time they need and not to worry about work
- Avoid asking for details about the circumstances of the death
- Encourage the employee to make use of Target‘s free counseling services
- Communicate the employee‘s leave to the rest of the team as appropriate
- Welcome the employee back without pressure to discuss the loss
By embodying compassion and providing a listening ear, managers can ensure the employee feels fully supported and comfortable taking the time to grieve and heal.
Additional Employee Support
Beyond providing dedicated bereavement leave, Target offers several other benefits and resources to help employees cope with loss:
- Free 24/7 access to licensed therapists and counselors for emotional support
- Discounted legal services to assist with estate settlement and other issues
- Flexible paid time off that can be used to extend bereavement leave if needed
- Target Circle community forum to connect with coworkers who‘ve experienced similar losses
By taking a holistic approach to employee wellbeing, Target aims to create a supportive environment that empowers people to process grief in a healthy way and return to work when they‘re truly ready.
How Target Compares to Other Retailers
Among major retailers, Target‘s bereavement policy is fairly standard, if slightly more generous than some. Walmart, for instance, provides up to 3 days of paid leave for immediate family and just one day for extended relatives. Amazon offers the same 3 days as Target.
A few retailers do go above and beyond, however. Costco is known for a highly compassionate policy, granting up to 5 days paid for the loss of a child, parent, spouse or domestic partner. Trader Joe‘s also offers 5 days to all employees, regardless of tenure.
Still, Target holds its own and even shines in a few areas like providing 4 hours paid for close friends and assisting with logistics after a spouse‘s passing. The company also seems to apply the policy quite liberally without nitpicking over hours worked or relation to the deceased.
Ultimately, while there is certainly room for further improvement, Target does a commendable job overall of supporting bereaved employees with both practical time off and emotional resources. As more companies recognize the importance of such policies for retaining talent, we hope to see continued expansion of bereavement leave across the retail sector.
Advice for Employees
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of losing someone close to you, remember that your job is secure and Target wants you to take advantage of the bereavement policy. You are entitled to that time to grieve.
Some employees may feel guilty or nervous about requesting leave, but leaders must grant it if you qualify under the policy. Don‘t hesitate to speak up and be clear about what you need. You might say something simple like, "I‘ve had a death in my immediate family and need to take 3 days of bereavement leave. I expect to return to work on [date]. Please let me know if you need any other information."
It‘s also wise to communicate with your manager about your emotional state and what you do or don‘t want to share with colleagues. You‘re not obligated to discuss the details of your loss, but you may find it helpful to let coworkers know you‘re grieving so they can offer support.
Also, give yourself grace as you return to work. You may not be functioning at 100% and that‘s okay. Grief is not linear and can persist for a long time in different forms. Take advantage of Target‘s counseling services if you need them.
The Future of Bereavement Benefits
As our understanding of grief and employee wellbeing evolves, we anticipate seeing bereavement policies become increasingly comprehensive. Some key trends and opportunities for expansion include:
- Extending the length of leave to at least 5 days to align with modern psychology
- Broadening the definition of family to include chosen family not related by blood or marriage
- Offering company-sponsored grief support groups or memorial events
- Allowing more flexibility to use PTO or unpaid leave for bereavement when needed
- Training managers to effectively lead and support teams through times of loss
By normalizing the grieving process as a part of the employee experience, companies can build more authentic, human-centered workplaces. We hope that in the near future, robust bereavement support will be the unquestioned norm, not the exception.
Key Takeaways
Losing a loved one is never easy, but having a supportive employer can make a meaningful difference. Target‘s bereavement policy offers up to 3 days of paid leave for full-time and some part-time employees to grieve, attend services, and handle related affairs. The policy takes an empathetic view of family as including a range of immediate relatives, extended family, and even close friends.
To utilize bereavement leave, employees simply notify their manager of the need and submit a request. Target trusts employees in this process and only rarely asks for any verification. The company limits paid leave to 4 instances per 2 years, but additional unpaid leave is generally available.
Target also provides free counseling services, discounted legal help, and a community forum to further assist employees through loss. While the company‘s policy is not the absolute most generous in retail, it does demonstrate care for workers‘ wellbeing not only with time off but also emotional support.
As an employee, don‘t be afraid to make full use of Target‘s bereavement leave should you need it. Take the time and space to process your loss. Communicate with your manager and teammates as you feel comfortable. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and open to receiving support as you move through your unique grieving journey. Target will be there for you along the way.
