According to General Orders 1621, Compassionate leave may be granted by a Permanent Secretary on the grounds of urgent personal affairs, such as accident, death and serious illness of immediate family, and emergencies caused by fire or flooding, up to a maximum of 8 days per annum.

According to General Orders 1622, Compassionate leave on the grounds of urgent private affairs, can be granted up to a maximum of 2 days per month.

All public officers are eligible to receive a maximum of eight compassionate leave days per annum.  

All public officers are eligible to receive compassionate leave.    

1. The officer must submit a letter of request and supporting documents (if necessary) to immediate supervisor.
2. The supervisor will forward the letter of request to Human Resources (HR).
3. HR completes the form indicating the employee’s entitlement and available leave before submitting the leave application to the Permanent Secretary (PS) /Deputy PS/Head of Department/Delegated officer for final approval.
4. Once approved by the PS returns the approved request to the HR section.
5. HR will advise the officer accordingly.

Note: Compassionate Leave applications may be rejected at any stage of the process.

No application form is necessary for Compassionate leave.  However, The Department of Public Service advises that the letter of request should include as much pertinent information as possible, in support of the request.

• Letter of Request
• Documentation supporting your case

Not Applicable

The Department of Public Service
Poinciana Hill Complex
Meeting Street
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel.  (242) 502-7200
Fax. (242) 326-6929
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays