What is a policy for the bereavement of a pet?

Under a normal bereavement leave policy, employees can typically take up to a certain number of days off from work for the death of a loved one or close friend. The leave may be paid or unpaid, depending on your policies and the state laws governing your company. While there’s no federal requirement, many states have laws that require minimum bereavement leave.

Some companies might extend this bereavement benefit to pets. Leave for the death or serious illness of a pet could fall under your company’s normal bereavement policy, or you might create a separate policy for the bereavement of pets. It can give either paid or unpaid time off when an employee loses a pet. Some policies also allow leave to care for a very sick pet who needs medical care.

Why you should consider offering pet bereavement leave

For many people, pets are like family members. When they die, the humans they leave behind mourn as they would the loss of a human life. This can make it difficult for the person to focus on work. Offering leave for the bereavement of a pet can allow them time to grieve without worrying about performing their work duties.

Potential benefits of offering this leave can include:

• Improved productivity: When an employee is forced to work when they really want to mourn their pet, they likely won’t be able to focus on their duties. Their work productivity will likely decline. Giving them a few days to mourn can allow them to come back to work when they’re more prepared and able to focus.
• Validation: Allowing bereavement for pets can show your empathy for all types of loss. It can validate your employees’ feelings of grief. Some people might hide their grief if they think their employer or colleagues won’t understand. Extending this act of empathy can help build trust and give employees a sense of psychological safety in the workplace.
• Happier employees: Showing your team members you care about the things that are important to them can boost employee happiness. Happier employees often perform better, are more productive and stay with your company longer.
• Work-life balance: Offering various leave types, including pet bereavement, supports a good work-life balance for your employees. It can also support their mental health and well-being.

How much time employees can take off

As with traditional bereavement leave, your pet bereavement policy should specify how many days an employee can take off. It’s common for regular bereavement leave to last three to five days. Review your bereavement policy and decide if you want to offer the same amount or less time for the loss of a pet. If you’re offering paid leave, you’ll likely want to consider budgetary factors to ensure the benefit is affordable for your company. You might allow grieving employees to take pet bereavement first followed by another type of leave for any additional days off.

Alternatives to a pet bereavement policy

If you don’t want to create a separate leave category for the bereavement of a pet, you can offer other options to pet parents who experience a loss. You might allow them to use a different type of leave to have time away from work. For example, you could let them use vacation or personal time to take a paid absence while they mourn. You might also offer unpaid days off if the employee doesn’t have any paid leave available.

Another option is to allow a temporary flexible working arrangement if the person normally works in the office. This can be especially beneficial if a pet is seriously ill and needs constant supervision or they have a terminal condition and the employee wants to be with them as much as possible. They can still get their work done while caring for their pet.

Working from home can also be a good transition back to the office after the loss of a pet. The employee may not feel like facing their colleagues in person or talking about the loss yet. Working remotely can give them some space while they complete job-related tasks.

Other ways you can show support for an employee who loses a pet

Whether or not you offer pet bereavement leave, you can provide support when an employee experiences the loss of a pet. These things can help the employee grieve. Some examples include:

• Extending condolences: Everyone grieves differently, but receiving a sincere message from you or the team can show your mourning employee that they have support. It can be as simple as telling them you’re sorry for their loss. Another option is having everyone sign a card or giving the employee a small sympathy gift.
• Training managers: Other leaders in the company can also show empathy to employees who lose a pet. Train your managers on your pet bereavement policy if you have one, and incorporate training on the importance of empathy as a leader.
• Offering an employee assistance program: The grief felt after losing a pet is very real, and some employees may benefit from counseling after the loss. Having an employee assistance program in place to help employees through a crisis can provide necessary support. Choosing a health insurance plan with robust mental health benefits can also make access to support easier for your staff.
• Handling their workload: While the employee is gone, consider delegating their tasks to other team members so they don’t come back buried in work. Their productivity may be lower when they return, so you might continue delegating some of their duties to other people until they’re back to their normal level.
• Donate in their name: Consider making a donation to a pet-related organization to honor the life of the employee’s pet. This can be a touching tribute, and it shows you care about what they’re going through.

Consider the needs of your employees and your values to guide your company decisions regarding the bereavement of a pet.