Bit of a morbid subject, my grandfather has been very ill for the past 5 years, on an oxygen machine 24/7, and stays in bed most of the time.
His all there mentally and can talk etc so his not a vegetable, but he is coming to the end of his life which is very upsetting.
When this does happen how do other sole traders deal with the situation?
I know for a fact I won’t be in a mental or physical state to be tending peoples gardens, so what do you do so that your business doesn’t go down the s***er while your grieving?
These normal 9-5 people get 2 weeks off with pay so it’s all good for them but I can’t really workout what i’m going to do about the situation
Just like to know if anyone else has had to deal with this and what you did.
Regards,
Ashley
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Hi Ashley, I'm so sorry to hear this. What an upsetting time. I lost my granddad earlier this year so I have the utmost sympathy. If you have lots of regular clients, can you talk to them about the situation now and work out some agreement? If they pay monthly for example, would they be willing to let you make up the time later on and continue the monthly payments? Obviously this will all depend on the kind of work you are doing for them as to whether it's an option. Otherwise, maybe you can start a savings pot with X percentage of your earnings each week/month so that you have something to draw a wage from when the time comes? As far as I know there is some limited sick pay from the government that can be claimed if you are self employed and ill, but I don't think there is anything similar in terms of compassionate leave. I'm not a sole trader myself so these are just observations, I'm sure someone with a bit more knowledge will be along shortly to advise.
I've lost all four grandparents over the last 10 years, and whilst it's upsetting I wouldn't consider two weeks off work. I also lost a brother in a car accident on a Friday night, and had to work the following Monday: there were a team relying on me, and whilst I wasn't anywhere near 100%, it still needed doing.
I'm not trying to say it isn't the most traumatic thing to deal with, but personally I felt worse sitting around at home. Gardening is great for relieving the stress, and getting back out to work helps distract you to some degree.
My other half didn't get a paid day off for her Aunt's funeral, and had to take it as holiday! Needless to say she doesn't work there an more...but I don't think many employers would give a lot of time off. Most would be a couple of days I guess? As I understand it there's no paid leave by law, other than emergency sitations with kids or something.
Hi Ashley,
Sorry to hear about your very difficult pending situation. I worked within the private sector for most of my working life. I have also lost close family, along with colleagues whilst employed.
As a pubic sector employee, I was allowed (at the discretion of my employer) to take the day off. I was also allowed to take the day of the funeral off (again at the discretion of my employer ) but would be expected to return the following day. The situation differs slightly if the death is of an immediate family member (wife, child, husband) then the time can be extended (once more at the employers discretion.)
I'm afraid, harsh but true a grandparent is not classed as a next of kin (unless they are your only living blood member and have brought you up) Public sector employers have no duty to allow you within UK law to take time off work for a death within the family.
I have heard of staff members who have only been given a few hours off work to attend a parents funeral and expected to return to work after the service. Most public sector companies have clear polices on this situation outlined in your contract.
I would also hope that your clients would understand the situation and cut you some slack.
Kind Regards
I feel for you, having been their it is a hard situation to be in.
Personally, I would plan for it to extent by preparing a "week plan" for the time that it happens, and bunch work together, have the plan in place well in advance so you can dust it off when needed.
I worked by working a solid weekend, 10 hour both days, and 10-11 hours for monday and tuesday in my case, so I had wed-fri off + the following weekend.
It gave me 5 conescutive days without additional cost.
Yo can only do what you can do, i lost two family in one week this year. We had the two funerals the following week and had them late in the day. This way people can go to work and it doesn't make things too difficult.
The other thing is, if people moan about you taking the time off then they are not worth working for really.
When my grandfather died nearly two years ago I took a day off for his funeral but didn't have a choice but to work as I run the ship with 5 additional crew. Although I didn't take time off work, the grieving process doesn't stop - I still have my moments from time to time. He was a massive part of my life and a huge influence on how I live my life today, but my life had to go on.
You may well find that you just want to get your head down and that work turns out to be a remedy for you. You might need to take a few days off. You need to do it your own way though - some take longer than others to come to terms with a loss; some can just mask it more than others.
Value the time you have with him just now though, and make some great memories to remember him by. I still remember clearly and treasure the look on his face the last time I spent with my grandfather.
For me when my mum died when very young (52) and I was 20 work was the best cure. Did not have time to think about it too much.
Everyone is different as other have said. Just do what's best for you and don't worry about the customers you will not lose the good ones and the bad ones well.......
Thanks for the replies.
Our family is a very close one, my mother lives 5 houses from her sister and 8 houses from her parents (my ill grandfather) and I live a minutes drive from all of them, even my father lives 3-5 mins away from us all. And we all see eachother most days.
So when it happens I think im just going to have to roll with it, iv never had anyone pass in my family so I have know idea how im going to react.
I think I will let everyone of my clients know so they can decide what they want to do etc.
Regards,
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
Your thread has had me thinking a fair bit over the last 24 hours or so. One thing that most people have overlooked, is you seem to be a good person with good values! My point is that good people tend to attract awesome friends who I'm sure will support and pitch in with some free of charge labour?
Kind Regards
Simon
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