Bereavement Leave in Arizona
No state law requires bereavement leave in Arizona
Arizona has no state law requiring employers to provide bereavement leave. However, Arizona does have a paid sick leave law (the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act) that allows employees to use accrued sick time for certain purposes, which may include bereavement-related needs.
What are your options?
Arizona's paid sick leave law allows employees to use accrued sick time to address a public health emergency or for certain family-related needs. Check whether your employer's sick leave policy covers bereavement. You may also use accrued PTO or vacation time, or request unpaid time off.
Bereavement leave in Arizona: what you need to know
Arizona has no state law requiring private employers to provide bereavement leave. However, Arizona does have a mandatory paid sick leave law (the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act), which requires employers to provide paid sick time that can be used for a range of purposes. While bereavement is not explicitly listed, the law covers absences related to the death of a family member in certain circumstances.
Arizona's paid sick leave law is a meaningful safety net that workers in many other states without bereavement leave do not have. Employers with 15 or more employees must provide at least 40 hours of paid sick time per year. Smaller employers must provide at least 24 hours. This time can be used for mental health needs and for caring for a family member, which may include bereavement-related absences depending on the circumstances.
Arizona's economy is driven by technology (the Phoenix metro's growing tech sector), healthcare, tourism (the Grand Canyon and Sedona draw millions annually), construction, and a large military presence (Luke Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base). Bereavement leave availability varies by industry, with tech companies and healthcare systems generally offering the most generous policies.
The Phoenix and Tucson metro areas account for the vast majority of Arizona's employment. Major employers in these areas, including Banner Health, Raytheon, Intel, and Arizona State University, typically offer paid bereavement leave. Workers in rural Arizona and in the tourism and hospitality sector may have less access to formal bereavement policies.
Arizona shares a border with California, which does require bereavement leave. Workers who live in Arizona but work remotely for a California-based employer should understand which state's laws apply to their employment. Generally, the state where you physically perform your work governs, but this can be complex. Consult an employment attorney if you are unsure.
Arizona's large retiree population means that many workers in the state are part of the sandwich generation, caring for aging parents while raising children. When an elderly parent dies, the practical demands of estate management, clearing a home, and managing financial affairs can extend well beyond the funeral itself. Arizona's paid sick leave provides a floor, but workers in this situation should plan ahead and consider whether additional PTO or unpaid leave may be needed.
More Arizona workplace laws
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Frequently asked questions about bereavement leave in Arizona
Arizona's Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act allows sick leave for mental health needs and caring for family members. While bereavement is not explicitly named, grief-related mental health needs may qualify. The practical answer depends on your employer's interpretation. It is worth asking HR.
Arizona state employees have leave provisions under the state personnel system. Most state employees may use sick leave for bereavement, and some positions may have additional bereavement provisions under their specific employment agreements or agency policies.
Yes. Arizona's paid sick leave law applies to all employers regardless of size. Employers with 15 or more employees must provide at least 40 hours per year. Employers with fewer than 15 employees must provide at least 24 hours. This is a floor; employers can offer more.
Tribal nations in Arizona are sovereign entities with their own employment laws and policies. If you work for a tribal employer in Arizona, state employment laws generally do not apply. Check with your tribal employer's HR department for their specific bereavement policy.
Arizona public school employees typically have bereavement leave provisions in their district policies or negotiated agreements. Most Arizona school districts offer 3 to 5 paid bereavement days for the death of an immediate family member. Check with your specific district's HR office.