Work life today is full of constantly evolving challenges and difficulties. When is it okay to date a coworker? Can you tell your team to return to the office five days a week? Whether you’re a bewildered Boomer, a confused millennial or a confused Gen Z-er, our brilliant columnist Nicola Horlick is here to help. She is using her experience in corporate life to guide you through the pitfalls and set you on the path to success.
Dear Nicola,
I am a manager and I try to be one. However, I find it difficult when people ask for time off when they are trying to get over the death of a dog or cat.
Should this really be considered the same as the death of a close family member?
What makes the problem more difficult for me is that I have never had a pet, which means I probably have little idea of the attachment people can have towards one of these creatures.
I’m probably coming across as a little unfriendly.
I’d talk to HR to see if the rules on compassionate leave should be changed, but frankly, they’re too nervous to give a firm line on almost anything.
Tamara
Nicola replies: I am a dog lover and, for me, their lives are as important to me as those of many of the people around me.
My husband died in November 2022 and I have had the greatest comfort from our beautiful Weimaraner dog. He is extremely empathetic. He knows when I’m down and does everything he can to cheer me up. I know that when he dies, I will be in the depths of grief and feel like I have lost a close family member.
If you have not had pets, I can understand that you do not understand the meaning of the relationship established with a dog or a cat, especially for those who have lost their partner or have always been single.
It may seem ridiculous to you that a colleague is heartbroken over the loss of a pet, but I can assure you that the feelings are intense and very real.
In these days of working from home, at least for office staff, leaving some time at home to deal with the loss is, in my opinion, perfectly acceptable.
Of course, it is more difficult for those who have to be physically present at work. But even they should be given a day off to recover if it is known that the pet was of particular importance.
What I would say is that there is a huge shortage of skilled personnel in many sectors, despite a small recent increase in unemployment. If you want to retain your team, then you want them to know that you value them, that you understand what is important to them, and that you care about them.
That’s another reason to show sympathy when they are devastated by the loss of a pet. It is not only good for the individual, but for the company as a whole.
A happy staff will lead to a better performing company or organization. You should definitely talk to HR about this and persuade them to implement a new policy.