Add Comment Question: If i had to leave work to attend a wake not funeral yet as can not bury until spring can i be fired or demoted. Answer: Thank you for contacting our firm. Pursuant to the Employment Standards Act, employees are permitted to be absent from work for activities that relate to the death of certain relatives. Employers are not able to take action against the employee to punish them for using this time off. We would need more information in order to advise you of your rights in this particular instance. If you would like to arrange a consult, please contact us at the number below. Your Comment * Your Email * Your Name * Your City Note, your name, city and email is not displayed on the website. It is used to notify you that we have approved your comment.