Dame Aussie Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Just saw a story on this. What do you think? Should there be some kind of bereavement allowance for when we lose pets? I don't know if there is really a need, I mean, even when we lose family members we don't get a huge amount of time off, usually a few days max in my experience, so not that different to taking a few sick days Having said that, I do think employers should be respectful of people needing a little time, it's a nice touch anyway. My last boss was great, a fellow animal lover, and when I came in late one day because one of my rats had escaped, she told me to go back home :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 as much as I love my pets my answer would be no. If I am choosing to PTS and can pick the day I do so then I do it on days I am not working. If I don't get to choose the time and I am supposed to work then I use my sick leave or take leave without pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 (edited) I also vote no. I love my dogs and will mourn their passing but I don't think my employer should have to give me special leave for that. Edited May 30, 2014 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 No. If necessary I would just take annual leave or speak to my boss about leave with out pay or making up the hours later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 Yeah, the last time I lost somebody I left early and then had the day of the funeral off and that was it. How much leave do people take for bereavement anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Most employers already offer bereavement leave anyway and it's up to the individual to use it. I don't feel there should be extra bereavement hours allocated for pet death, but I do think that a person should have the choice to use their current allowance on the death of a pet. I think I'm allowed one day of bereavement leave per year and I haven't needed to use it for a few years. If I choose to use my allowance for pet death then that's all I get that year and any deaths following would be used as sick or annual leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
korbin13 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Considering the Rio Tinto boss can't/won't name the union that made the claim, I would take this report with a grain of salt. Having said that I have used my annual leave to deal with having to put a pet to sleep. I do know of people who have used personal (was called sick) leave days as well. I wouldn't expect special leave days though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Carers and sick leave is normally lumped into one bucket - 10 days. You can take it to go to funerals, look after sick family members or take dick leave. I think it is reasonable to take one or two of these days if a pet dies. (Ie they are not extra days). BTW, the whole story is a best up. The mining company won't name the union and the unions have said they haven't asked for it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 You can take it to go to funerals, look after sick family members or take dick leave Dick leave? Could you please define that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Yes they're family and commitment. I've often had to leave work early to go to the vets and thankfully never had an employer have a problem. I will be a mess when mine go so will need a day to grieve I could not face clients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I was a complete wreck after the passing of my heart dog... Luckily I was working shiftwork 4 days on then 4 days off, and she timed it for my first day off of the cycle. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 You can take it to go to funerals, look after sick family members or take dick leave Dick leave? Could you please define that? LOL!!! Best auto correct ever!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flame ryder Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I'd get paid for it as I'd just take normal sick leave, go to the docs and get a certificate. I've no doubt a doctor would give me a cert as I'd be such an emotional mess I'd be unable to work anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I wouldn't expect extra leave but in my workplace I would probably call in sick. (got plenty of leave) I would say that I'd be in no fit state to work anyway. Telling our workplace why you are away will get you " it's only a dog". One young worker had 3 days off after her dog died thou she wasn't particularly into dogs normally. My boss was fine with this at the time but work pressure/workload has made this type of thing less likely. Hope I won't need to worry for a while yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 You can take it to go to funerals, look after sick family members or take dick leave Dick leave? Could you please define that? Sam Man quote? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabbath Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I'd support the idea of this type of leave. My employer gets every cent out of me in every other way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I think an workplace that allows for compasionate leave, should allow for pet death to be an eligible use for that. Really, carers and family leave is often allowed, why is it not recognised that pets fill that part of some people's lives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I think grief is grief - doesn't matter whether the family member who has died has 2 legs or 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I don't think it should be a statutory entitlement, I'm happy with it to be discretionary. When my family dog died when I was in Sydney, my employer gave me a few days off to fly back home. I have no doubt that any of my other places of work would have done the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I also vote no. I love my dogs and will mourn their passing but I don't think my employer should have to give me special leave for that. I agree. I've never had a problem with an employer understanding my loss. I don't think it should be a statutory entitlement, I'm happy with it to be discretionary. When my family dog died when I was in Sydney, my employer gave me a few days off to fly back home. I have no doubt that any of my other places of work would have done the same thing. A good employee makes a good boss and vice versa - generally speaking. Both can be arseholes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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