Bereavement Leave for Pets?
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I read that someone was sacked for not going to work on the day her family dog died
I’m sure it’s not a job that mattered anyway, as she’s an 18 year old student who will probably easily find many jobs out there who would do the same. However, should there be some kind of bereavement leave for pets?
That’s a tricky one all depends on manager really but to be sacked could affect future jobs on references I wouldn't take time off for that reason when my other half’s grandparents died he never took time off
I guess it all depends on the person too, and how they feel about their job. Most companies would exercise discretion, as it’s still a sensitive matter - I recall a colleague who took time off when they had to put the family dog down, but it was unpaid leave with other colleagues who would cover, so there was no impact on the business.
I think that is a manager who doesn't like animals. Back in 2009 I lost my beloved dog within a week as he had a brain tumour and he was only 7. I was heart broken and still miss him. I was so distressed that I went off sick as I couldn't do my job and was off 2 months and my manager was fine with it. She loved her dogs too so clearly understood. Everybody is different and react differently. I had a colleague whose father died and the very next day she came to work. To me that was her way of dealing with bereavement and I could not judge her as she didn't me, lots of people did! And if somebody thinks I shouldn't compare humans to animals and bereavement, tough because my animals to me are as important and I have lost humans too and it hurts the same (FOR ME)
I agree. For me, a pet is a family member, and possibly a child as I care for it, so a loss is devastating. You definitely need time to grieve
I would actually be in no fit state to work if my dog died. I remember when my family dog died and i would just randomly burst out crying for months after (still shed a tear now if i remember something and this was 10 years ago). My friend told me to get over it, i told her i didnt say that to her when he grandad died - it didnt go down to well 
Sacking someone for missing one day is extremely harsh.
I think it makes sense to give it, as the person would not be in the right state of mind to work - it is important to let the person have some time to grieve
I wasn't allowed time off when either of my parents died so I would be upset if people were allowed it for a pet. Worst thing, I was a registrar so had to be reminded of it all day while registering the deaths of other's loved ones. I was allowed a day for the funeral, that was all.
No I don't think there should be an official bereavement leave set for pets. I would advise my staff to simply ring in sick rather than say it was a pet. I can totally understand why yet the problem would be the definition of pet. If someone rang in sick, say their dog died and the were feeling awful, this is a mental health issue and they should call in sick. As for a hamster or stick insect... So a no from me yet you are unwell as a person and need time to get over it so you are ill and should ring in sick. You don't need to declare why either for the first five days, I think.
Yes, I think sick leave is usually the one used for such circumstances where I’ve worked, and tbh no one would question it these days. Managers usually just exercise discretion
I don't think we need an official leave made for the death of pets ur I would think it would be appropriate to call in sick based on the emotional distress caused.
I think its just about having some compassion and should be at the managers discretion but what sort of twerp would sack someone if they had called in sick and explained- pets are family to my mind
I guess it’s the kind of employer that supports zero contract hours, the kind who can’t wait for robot technology to advance so they can replace human workers with them
hspexy I can hear humanity circling the drain from here.....heres to being sacked and staying caring. Dogs will probably out evolve us wouldnt that be ironic .....!
I think there should be. My older dog is nearly 11 now and I know when I lose her I will be off work for at least a day - my dogs are my children. If I lost my job over that I couldnt care less, I wouldn’t be able to function at work 
I think where I work, we only get bereavement leave (one day) for immediate family. We get another day if we are the primary funeral organiser. That's it. So no, pets wouldn't be allowed. But you could take a sick day off with stress or something I'd imagine...
No, but you could just call in sick if you are really upset. I don't believe most employers would accept that as a legitimate reason.
Love is love no matter if for an animal or human. I lost a member of my 4 legged family in february and i couldnt go to work for a week, i couldnt function properly. I work in a small company and my boss is fantastic.
After going back to work i struggled as i couldnt focus and he noticed and gave me 2 weeks paid off to which i went to visit my family in usa. He even sent me flowers from his family. It all depends on your boss at end of the day and if youve got one that has compassion.
Love is love.
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