Pet Bereavement Days
I would just like to applaud these following American companies:
Software company VM Ware, Maxwell Health, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants and Trupanion.
Why?
These companies have recognised that when a pet dies their employees might need time off. VM Ware and Maxwell Health offer flexible time, Kimpton allows managers to grant up to three days away from work, and pet insurance company Trupanion gives employees one paid pet bereavement day.
“We allow people to actually do that grieving process and just, just be able to heal. I think you need closure when you lose a pet, and it’s important to have the time to do that,” Dani Kahn, Trupanion said.
Pet bereavement days aren’t required under federal or state laws but an American journalist has found that several companies are now recognising that the loss of a pet can be devastating for an employee and they might need time to grieve themselves or to comfort other family members, especially children.
An animal pet loss counsellor Janet Zimmerman said it’s critical to take time off and 30 percent of pet owners surveyed said that they felt grief and sadness for at least six months after losing their pet. Obviously putting a timescale on bereavement is troublesome as everyone is different as is every pet.
Some people also stated that such days were open to abuse and questioned whether they should be extended for all pets? I think employers should use their common sense as I’m sure they do with any bereavement leave, and grant it to those employees who need it.
I welcome the move and would love you to let us know of any employers here in the UK who offer similar programmes, let’s praise the employers who know just how hard losing a pet can be.
Error: Contact form not found.