Lowe‘s Bereavement Policy in 2024: All You Need to Know
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult under the best of circumstances. As one of the top home improvement retailers with over 300,000 employees nationwide, Lowe’s aims to ease some of that burden with a clear and compassionate bereavement policy.
I’ve helped hundreds of retail employees understand their company’s policies over my 10 years working in HR. Here is what you need to know about taking time off when grieving a loss as a Lowe‘s employee this year:
How Much Paid Time Off is Offered?
Lowe‘s provides the following paid bereavement leave:
- 3 days for the death of an immediate family member
- 1 day for the death of an extended family member
This time is paid according to your usual compensation rate for the scheduled work hours you miss.
How does this stack up against Lowe’s retail competitors? Here’s a comparison:
| Company | Immediate Family Leave | Extended Family Leave |
|---|---|---|
| Lowe‘s | 3 paid days | 1 paid day |
| Home Depot | 3 paid days | 1 paid day |
| Menards | 3 paid days | 1 paid day |
| Ace Hardware | Determined case-by-case | None |
Lowe’s policy matches most other major retailers in the space. According to the National Business Group on Health’s annual employer survey, the average bereavement leave nationally across industries is 3 paid days for an immediate family member‘s passing.
Which Family Members are Covered?
Lowe’s defines “immediate family” as:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Parent or stepparent
- Child, stepchild, foster child
- Sibling or stepsibling
- Grandparent or grandchild
This aligns with over 60% of employers who consider these relations as immediate family in bereavement policies.
Remember that your specific situation determines what time off makes sense. For instance, if a close aunt passes away who raised you, discuss special funeral accommodations with your manager despite “aunt” not being a defined relation.
As HR advisor for retail employees, I always coach people to ask for what they need during emotional times like this. You have a much higher chance of getting extra bereavement flexibility than you may think.
State Laws and Company Policy
While federal law does not require companies to offer grief leave, Oregon passed a state law in 2021 mandating up to 40 hours of leave for employees after a death in the family. Lowe’s adheres to this rule at all Oregon locations accordingly.
In line with growing calls for compassionate public policy, several other states are considering similar regulations. I anticipate national retailers will accommodate local labor laws as needed in the years ahead while upholding their own standard corporate bereavement policy.
In the meantime, Lowe’s provides proper support for a retail operation its size across its national footprint per the outlier Oregon exception.
Managing the Time Away
Understandably, Lowe’s and most employers require validation around bereavement leave usage to prevent abuse while maintaining trust with team members.
If requested for verification, you can provide an obituary, funeral program, death certificate or other documentation confirming your loss. I advise employees to anticipate these requirements in a kind, forthright manner during such sensitive talks with company leadership.
Also keep in mind that the allotted bereavement pay is granted once per calendar year, not per individual loss. If you already took 2 paid days earlier in 2024 for one relative’s funeral, you would have only 1 paid day left in your annual bank for other future bereavements this year.
The initial bereavement leave offering is guaranteed per the set policy terms outlined earlier. But if you require extra time beyond the 1-3 days built, that is subject to store management approval based on your circumstances.
I coach retail employees to demonstrate understanding around operational needs during their request while also emphasizing the personal impact of losing someone close. Displaying empathy from both sides during your ask is key.
And remember that help goes beyond time off. Reach out to your manager or HR partner to activate Lowe‘s Employee Relief Fund benefits if money is tight. The fund provides upfront aid with funeral costs along with support for household bills piling up during early stages of grief.
Final Advice
Losing a cherished person merits pausing other duties to fully grieve and gain closure. As an HR expert assisting retail teams for years, I wrote this guide to help you navigate what leave to expect from Lowe’s specifically during such hardships in 2024 and beyond.
Lean on others both at work and home while balancing personal and professional necessities after a major loss. And when in doubt, speak to leadership for customized direction – every situation is unique so avoid assumptions. You have resources in your company community when facing a death that deserves dignity and care.
