Are you allowed time off work when your pet dies? This is what the law says
Woman sacked for not going into work after dog’s death starts petition
A woman has started a petition after she was sacked for not going into work when her dog died.
But what exactly are the rules over bereavement leave?
Emma McNulty said she was too upset to work after her terrier Millie had to be put down last Sunday.
But she was sacked from her part-time job in a fast food chain restaurant.
Ms McNulty explained: “Millie was 14 and I am 18, so I don’t remember a time when she wasn’t part of my life.
“We did everything together. I was so close to her and she was my best pal.”
Emma McNulty, 18, was devastated when her 14-year-old dog became ill and had to be put to sleep
Emma McNulty, 18, was devastated when her 14-year-old dog became ill and had to be put to sleep (Image: Glasgow Live)
She told GlasgowLive: “I informed my manager I could not come into work as I was too devastated and physically sick to do so.
“Instead of being shown the compassion and sympathy stated in the contract, I was sent a number of nasty messages and told I had to cover my shift as no bereavement time was allowed for pets.
“I did not go to work that day and I was fired and left unemployed the same day as losing my best friend, this caused me extreme distress and sickness.”
She added: “I think it’s disgusting how some companies think it’s acceptable to treat someone in this way with no remorse, a family pet (in my case my dog) has just as much importance as a human family member.
“She was a valued family member and companion, I grew up with her and developed a close relationship that only grew each day.
“It’s time companies acknowledged this and give people the time they need to grieve, with no worry of losing their job.”
Her online petition has now reached more than 10,500 signatures.
Emma McNulty’s dog Millie
Emma McNulty’s dog Millie (Image: Glasgow Live)
What do vets say about this?
Dr Steph Wenban, Front of The Pack’s vet and pet wellbeing expert, said: “For many homes, pets constitute as family members and are treated with the same love and care as a relative.
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“Therefore, the loss of a pet is extremely saddening and can affect the owners ability to function just as the bereavement of a normal family member.
“Employers should recognise this, compassionate leave should be granted on emotional attachment and subsequent loss, not black and white guidelines that are hugely subjective from person to person as to what constitutes as loss.”
More and more families are seeing their furry friends as loved family members rather than owned pets. Research from Front of The Pack found that:
85% of millennials agree that dogs should be treated like a part of the family
53% of millennials agree that companies should offer employees pet-ernity leave (paid leave to spend time with new pets)
46% of millennials think of themselves as a pet parent rather than a pet owner
What is the law on bereavement leave?
Kate Palmer, at employment law firm Peninsula, said: “Most businesses wouldn’t hesitate to give employees time off to mourn the death of a family member or close friend.
“But what happens if that loved one is a pet? Can they take bereavement leave?
“These questions are gathering a lot of interest due to the recent story about a grieving woman who was refused bereavement leave and sacked when she was too upset to go to work after her dog died.
“Currently, there is no legal requirement for employers to allow their employees any time off work when their pet dies and, currently, no right to any form of bereavement leave at all.
“Permitting time off for employees in times of bereavement is down to the discretion of their employer and it is perfectly acceptable for them to refuse such a request.
“Whilst employees do reserve the right to take time off to deal with emergencies that involve a ‘dependant’, legislation defines dependants as spouses, children or someone who depends upon the employee for care. Specifically, it does not mention any sort of animal owned by an individual.
“How companies will respond to this situation will depend upon the views of management and the demands of the business.
“Some managers may be sympathetic to their employee’s loss and be willing to let them take the time, whilst others may be less so.
“The company may simply not have the capacity to allow the employee to be off that day, especially if there is no one available to cover their duties.”
She added: “It should be remembered that if employees do take a period of absence without manager approval, it can be treated as unauthorised absence and potentially result in the start of a disciplinary procedure.
“In these situations, the employee’s length of service is likely to dictate what would be a fair and reasonable sanction.
“However, employers should not underestimate the impact that the loss of a pet can have on their employees and, in particular, how much work they are going to be able to feasibly do on the day.
“If an employee feels that they will be unfairly judged for being honest with their employer, they may simply ‘throw a sickie’, something that can be very difficult to disprove.
“Although employers do reserve the right to discipline individuals who are not working to the required standard, they should tread carefully.
“Employees who have just lost their pet are likely to respond poorly to this and may not perform as well in their roles as a result.
“To this end, employers may consider letting an employee take some time away to deal with this situation, either by permitting a day of annual leave or expecting the time taken to be worked back at a later date.
“If the employee does need to work on the day of the loss, employers could let them take the following day instead as a compromise.
“Employees could also be referred to any additional assistance the company offers, such as an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), to help them better cope with their grief.
“Remember that treatment should be consistent for all members of staff and it is highly advisable to outline any procedures within a company policy.”
