The Profound Grief of Losing a Pet

Pets offer unwavering companionship, unconditional love, and become integral parts of our daily lives. For many, pets are family. They sit with us through heartache, illness, breakups, career changes and so much more, and often, their passing is a quiet devastation felt most deeply in solitude. Their loss can lead to intense feelings of sorrow, loneliness, and even depression. Despite this, many employees feel compelled to suppress their grief due to a lack of formal recognition in the workplace. And, in many workplaces, this grief is still unrecognised. Despite the powerful emotional bonds we form with our animals, very few companies provide structured support for employees navigating the loss of a pet.

Dr. Guy Winch, a psychologist and author, emphasises:

"When we lose them, we lose a significant, and often vital, source of support and comfort."

Companies recognising Pet bereavement

While still not widespread, a growing number of companies are implementing pet bereavement leave policies:

• Trupanion: This pet insurance company offers one paid day off for employees grieving the loss of a pet 2.

• Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants: Known for its pet-friendly policies, Kimpton allows up to three days of paid bereavement leave for pet loss 3.

• Mars Inc.: The multinational pet food and healthcare company supports flexible leave and acknowledges the human-animal bond as part of its employee wellbeing framework 4. They recognise the importance of pets in employees' lives and offer flexible leave options. 

  
  

These policies not only offer emotional support but also signal to employees that their well-being is valued.

The case for Pet Bereavement leave

Implementing pet bereavement leave can have several benefits inlcuding employee wellbeing, workplace productivity and talent retention.

• Acknowledging pet loss can help employees process their grief, reducing the risk of prolonged emotional distress.

• Employees who feel supported are more likely to remain engaged and productive.

• Companies that demonstrate empathy can attract and retain top talent.

A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that organisations with compassionate leave policies often see increased employee satisfaction and loyalty. 

 Implementing a Pet Bereavement Policy

For companies considering such a policy:

1. Define the scope by specifying the types of pets covered and the duration of leave.

2. Communicate clearly to ensure employees are aware of the policy and understand how to request leave.

3. Train management and equip managers with the tools to handle such situations with sensitivity.

By taking these steps, organisations can foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

References

• Winch, G. (2017). How to Fix a Broken Heart. TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/guy_winch ↩

• ABC News. (2016). Companies offer paid pet bereavement leave to employees. https://abcnews.go.com ↩

• Yahoo Finance. (2022). 6 Companies Offering Pawternity and Pet Bereavement Leave. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/6-major-companies-offer-pawternity-202424488.html ↩

• Mars Inc. (2021). Sustainability and People First Approach. https://www.mars.com/ ↩

• SHRM. (2020). Leave and Workplace Flexibility Report. https://www.shrm.org ↩