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Absence because of pet death

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Comments

  • I think this is over the top for the death of a pet. The rest of the day is fine, the rest of the week was generous.

    Perhaps there are other factors contributing to the stress and this was the factor that tipped the employee over the edge. I think this employee might be a burden to the team if over 2 weeks off are required for the death of a pet but if there were already underlying factors then these need to be considered. As for phasing back into work I think that can only be decided when you are aware of all the details surrounding that request.
    MFW: Nov 2008 £156k, Jun 2015 £129k, Jun 2017 £114k.
  • Similar situation has happened with us - we lost our first cat to renal failure and it was the first time we'd had to have a beloved pet PTS. I was in shock, I think, and utterly hysterical with grief. My line manager told me not to come into work for the rest of the week - she was quite right as working in customer services I couldn't have coped with even one angry customer let alone the ten or more I had to calm down and help on a daily basis. I was very grateful that my bosses were sympathetic. Years later we lost a cat on the road and my poor husband was so distraught he was diagnosed with a return of the depression he'd fought a few years earlier. He was signed off for two months. I can quite understand how the OP's employee needs time to come to terms with what has happened. And a GP, in my very humble opinion, doesn't sign people off work lightly.
  • aliasojo
    aliasojo Posts: 23,053 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Is this employee usually reliable? Do they have many periods of absence?

    Some people can be completely (and unexpectedly) side swiped by the death of a pet.

    If the employee is of previous 'good character' I personally would say nothing over the two weeks off but would probably not be too amenable about the phased return.

    I suspect employee is 'panicking in advance' right now and things may change in a couple of weeks anyway.
    Herman - MP for all! :)
  • I think your Manager was very understanding and deserves praise for giving the employee the rest of the week off.

    I personally think that the employee needs to get a grip. Two weeks off for a "Stress Related Disorder" says to me that the employee is either as soft as melted butter or there are other underlying reasons as to why they need two weeks off.

    Losing a pet is traumatic and hurtful but staying at home crying about it for 4 weeks is not normal. The world goes on and the quicker you get on with it the better.
    Iva started Dec 2018.
  • WantToBeSE wrote: »
    2 weeks off for the death of a pet? With phased return?
    I think thats very excessive!

    I have pets, and i have has the experience of having a much loved cat pass away. I took a day off work and just had to get back to work and deal with it. In the evenings, i would cry my heart out, but i think your employee is taking the proverbial!

    You put it better than I did.
    Iva started Dec 2018.
  • dseventy
    dseventy Posts: 1,220 Forumite
    Thanks for the replies thus far.

    I have the best people working for me in the world. I want the best and get the best. So I pay generous salaries. I pay sick from day 1. I do a yearly (Xmas) bonus for all. I have generous Annual Leave policies and work life balance protocols. I don't advertise for new staff. If you are good at what you do, I , or someone that works for me, will find you.

    I want the best, so I pay the best.

    This has served me well over the years and got me to where I am today.

    I never have HR issues. I have never sacked anyone for poor performance, we are perfectly oiled machine.

    I don't employ any HR people, I outsource it. I spoke to them today and they have reccomended a Occupational Health referral for the employee and they will sort it.

    Yes I have pets (2 dogs). As much as I will be devasted when die, life goes on. I know and appreciate that people love their pets like part of the family. But 2 weeks off and a phased return? The last time I did a phased return was when someone had cancer and chemo and needed that to blend back in.

    Just needed a reality check I guess, thanks for comments.

    D70
    How about no longer being masochistic?
    How about remembering your divinity?
    How about unabashedly bawling your eyes out?
    How about not equating death with stopping?
  • dseventy
    dseventy Posts: 1,220 Forumite
    edited 23 August 2012 at 5:47PM
    aliasojo wrote: »
    Is this employee usually reliable? Do they have many periods of absence?

    Some people can be completely (and unexpectedly) side swiped by the death of a pet.

    If the employee is of previous 'good character' I personally would say nothing over the two weeks off but would probably not be too amenable about the phased return.

    I suspect employee is 'panicking in advance' right now and things may change in a couple of weeks anyway.

    For the record, the employee has been a model employee since she started with us (as have all my people) 4 years ago.

    I remember she came into work on Xmas day and NY day to solve a few issues and never told anyone.

    I can honestly say I don't have a issue with sickness, days lost through sickness is less than 1% across the board.

    D70
    How about no longer being masochistic?
    How about remembering your divinity?
    How about unabashedly bawling your eyes out?
    How about not equating death with stopping?
  • Heavens above. You need to look into this.

    Either something else is going on or this employee is taking the proverbial.
    If you haven't got it - please don't flaunt it. TIA.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,641 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 23 August 2012 at 6:13PM
    I think its taking it to the max but there are people out there who do over dramatise things. I dont actually have a pet so cant comment on that aspect but I have lost family members and yes i was quite sad but life goes on and I was back at work the next day.
  • IF everything is as well oiled as you would like to think and the employees are all salt of the earth then can you not see if you can talk to the employee and see why its so excessive the time of that is required and maybe come to a reasonable compromise?
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
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