|
Post by boxerluver30 on Sept 7, 2018 10:04:36 GMT
thirdforcenews.org.uk/polls/poll-should-employers-offer-staff-bereavement-leave-when-a-pet-dies
This came on my FB feed about the LACS (League against cruel sports) offering 4 days paid bereavement leave when an employees pet dies and the poll is saying whether more companies should offer this? Personally I'm in two minds about it, I do agree that a pet dying can be just as impactful as a human family member dying as we all think of them as part of the family. However I'm not sure logistically how this would work with small companies for example where there are few employees as is. Also what about if someone has multiple pets and god forbid they all pass around the same time, would 4 days leave be given for each pet? Some people handle grief differently too, for example someone may prefer to just go to work and get on with life instead of staying at home and thinking too much. I think what's needed more is a better understanding with employers that pets are part of the family and for some people can be the only family they have so of course they will be devastated when they die.
|
|
|
Post by lotsofcats on Sept 7, 2018 10:13:24 GMT
I don't agree that people should have any days paid bereavement leave when a pet dies as many people would take advantage of it - how do their bosses know that they even had a pet? Some devious people would mention a pet and then at a convenient date would say it had died and get 4 days of paid leave! I only had 2 days off when my parents died and preferred to get on with my work, but that's just how I am - people handle grief in different ways, it doesn't mean they didn't care.
I totally agree with your last sentence.
|
|
|
Post by boxerluver30 on Sept 7, 2018 11:01:09 GMT
I agree it could be abused in that way lotsofcats. People have done that regarding human family members too, lying about their deaths so I wouldn't put it past them to do the same with pets. Then again the question is regularly raised that just because a rule/law is abused does that mean it shouldn't be there at all? Got to weigh up the pros and cons basically. I think if companies did go ahead with this then they should maybe do a trial period so they could weigh up cost, effectiveness etc etc. I'm trying to see it from both sides of the argument
|
|
|
Post by caz2golden on Sept 8, 2018 12:24:51 GMT
I dread the time anything happens to my two. I know I will be no good to man or beast. They are my family. 4 days leave, maybe thats a bit much (afterall it is often only a week for direct family like mother, father, spouse etc) but I do think a day or two would not go amiss for those who feel they need it. Though I do think it should be limited to pets that have a longish lifespan be it dogs, cats horses etc (i.e time off for hamster is pushing the boundaries).
TBH, people play system now, wonder how many people have pulled a sicky in their time! TBH I have not as I would feel guilty as hell but I am quite sure others have.
Bereavement leave in the places I have worked have always had to be applied for via manager and it is discretionary not a right so I would see if this was to come in in same light. i.e any manager who suspected employee was having them on could just reject the request!
|
|
|
Post by boxerluver30 on Sept 8, 2018 15:05:17 GMT
I dread the time anything happens to my two. I know I will be no good to man or beast. They are my family. 4 days leave, maybe thats a bit much (afterall it is often only a week for direct family like mother, father, spouse etc) but I do think a day or two would not go amiss for those who feel they need it. Though I do think it should be limited to pets that have a longish lifespan be it dogs, cats horses etc (i.e time off for hamster is pushing the boundaries). TBH, people play system now, wonder how many people have pulled a sicky in their time! TBH I have not as I would feel guilty as hell but I am quite sure others have. Bereavement leave in the places I have worked have always had to be applied for via manager and it is discretionary not a right so I would see if this was to come in in same light. i.e any manager who suspected employee was having them on could just reject the request! Not the same situation but when jay died I ended up having about a week and a half off school because of everything else going on at the time my mental state really deteriorated. There was no point even attempting to go in as I'd be in floods of tears even before the day started. My teachers were sympathetic luckily and were helpful in regards to homework, keeping me updated with lessons etc. I know that would be unrealistic with work unless you wanted to use your own annual leave, sick days etc but I did really need that at the time. I almost went into a depressive state which can be just as bad as physical health problems. I agree perhaps a day or two would be more reasonable
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Sept 8, 2018 22:00:24 GMT
caz2golden you've expressed just what I was thinking. Also quite often the employee has had to take the ill pet to the vet for their final journey & that will also be distressing on top of the loss. There's always the thought of "did I make the right decision what if ....." which is a stress, that given current legislation, is not often applicable to human family members. For some people their pets are their only living family members they see on any form of frequent or regular basis. We also emotionally very responsible for their care as they can't tell us, clearly, what they need/feel etc. However has a (retired) manager I can see the logistical nightmare this idea could be for the other workers. Quite a few people do have more than one pet & may subsequently get another one so totalling up their bereavement leave, for non-humans, plus human bereavement leave over the years can add to a fair number of lost working days. Never mind the additional days lost by the abusers of the system.
|
|
|
Post by spider on Sept 23, 2018 22:39:25 GMT
Iv tried but cant figure an answer a good boss will know his employee and treat this issue in house case by case its not a one size fits all
|
|
|
Post by lotsofcats on Sept 24, 2018 8:53:50 GMT
Iv tried but cant figure an answer a good boss will know his employee and treat this issue in house case by case its not a one size fits all I totally agree spider.
|
|
|
Post by boxerluver30 on Sept 25, 2018 10:57:00 GMT
Iv tried but cant figure an answer a good boss will know his employee and treat this issue in house case by case its not a one size fits all Good point. I feel this would be more the case in small companies where there will be closer relationships. In a big company with say 100+ employees and multiple bosses/managers then it would be more difficult
|
|
|
Post by spider on Sept 25, 2018 12:27:22 GMT
Good point thats true in big places staff dont really know each other it would be hard or bosses
|
|