User Upthebracket22 wrote: “My Dad died at the weekend- 4 days ago (29/10/2022) - boss rang me & then turned up at my house asking when I was going up be back. I am not even remotely ready - not even had funeral yet which is next weds.

“Aibu to think I should get signed off sick? I have barely taken a day sick in a decade so feel like it’s s time to just take a bit of time out.”

According to Business Insider, “in the U.S, there is no law giving workers paid time off to attend a loved one’s funeral. Most U.S. workers receive only three days to grieve the loss of a close family member.”

The U.S bereavement-policy shortfalls were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than 1 million Americans, alongside the ever-increasing opioid crisis.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, overdose deaths involving opioids have increased more than six-fold since 1999. Exacerbated by the pandemic, the number of deaths rose from 50,000 in 2019 to 80,000 in 2021.

Grief-recovery specialist Iman Gatti told Newsweek: “Bereavement-leave allowances range from two to five days’ paid time off per calendar year, if you have worked at the job for 90 days or more. Realistically, this is not enough time for 99.9 percent of grievers, most especially when losing a close relative.

“The OP (original poster) states that they have worked for the company for a decade and have barely even called in a sick day. Regardless of their outstanding work ethic, grief affects us all in different ways, and it is likely to take years to come to accept that a parent has passed.

“I would suggest that the poster take their bereavement leave and any additional holiday leave they have accrued, for two weeks, to have the space and time to plan the funeral and allow for grieving,” Gatti said.

“While we all know that capitalism stops for no one, these losses are so profoundly life-altering and impact every area of our lives. It is vital we carve out space to heal and mourn for the people in our lives whom we love and lose. There is not a job on Earth more impactful than the love we have for lives lost.

“Take your time to process your grief, and if your boss doesn’t have compassion for your suffering, then I would suggest allowing them to grieve your absence as well,” Gatti added.

Mumsnet users were supportive in the comments, with flowertoday writing: “So sorry for the loss of your dad. Your boss is completely our of order. Please see you’d GP and get a sick note. Take care of yourself.”

AlwaysGinPlease commented: “I’m so sorry Op Flowers I would report your boss for turning up at your home. That’s harassment and is unacceptable.”

User teaandtoastwithmarmite wrote: “That’s so bad. I was given a week off when my dad passed away. I then had a weeks holiday. And also the funeral. And I probably could’ve had more unpaid.”

Newsweek was not able to verify the details of the case.