Anyone who has ever lost a fur-baby to death knows the emotional toll it plays upon us. They become part of our families, and we so deeply mourn their loss in the end. However, now some companies are granting their employees time off with pay to grieve their pets.
According to CbsMiami, companies calling the time, “pet bereavement days,” which allow families to cope with the emotional feelings associated with the death of a pet. One woman couldn’t simply describe the pain she felt when her dog, Chief passed away, and her company granted her a day off so the woman could explain to her young son about the dog’s death.
“Being able to stay home with him and grieve with him was invaluable. It was so, so important to me,” stated Erica Lee about Chief’s passing.
Even more companies are now following the trend, including software company VM Ware and Maxwell Health. Pet friendly Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants allows up to three days away from work, and pet insurance company Trupanion now gives employees one paid pet bereavement day. Statistics say that pet parents grieve an average of six months, and since pets have become integral parts of many families, the grieving is as strong as losing a human member of the family.
Of course, there are also some people who find fault with pet bereavement days and giving a pet parent time to regroup. After all, when one is filled with grief, how does one function at full capacity? There are no laws concerning paid pet bereavement days, but hey, shouldn’t everyone be allowed to grieve for the loss of their best friend?
