Absence because of pet death

Judith_W

If this employee comes in on Xmas and NY day, are paid well and generally looked after by the company well, I can't see any reason they would want to jeopardise this, therefore I'd be inclined to believe that they were not taking the mick. Have you had a look at how many hours they have been working lately, and how much holiday they have taken. Could this be such a strain for them because they have just been holding on with their fingernails and this has tipped them over the edge?

LaLashes

McKneff wrote: »

Jesus, I didnt have that much time off when me mother died:eek:

Me either!

Also, as a manager myself and having been in a similar situation with an employee recently - I'd say as previous posters have advised and investigate further.

I think that it is quite a long time for a pet and the manager offering the rest of the week off was generous (or maybe fair depending on the employee - some people can be upset much more easily than others)

Strike that

Seen the reply from D70 saying employee was a model employee etc - I would say that the employee is being genuine, based on what was said - I'd doubt that they would risk their job by taking the p*ss - they must be genuinely upset

KiKi

I know that when the time comes that one of my cats dies, I will be utterly, utterly devastated. They are my closest family. May be sad, but it's true. They are my family, and like my children - I love them beyond most other things in life! Even typing this and thinking about it tears me up.

I know, without doubt, I'd need time off. In my current PT role, I know my boss would tell me to take the week off, paid, as I work hours and hours beyond the time I need to, and I'm not paid what I should be for the role. She wouldn't think twice about that. Any more than a couple of days and I'd take it as AL. I wouldn't ask for a phased return to work...but then I doubt the distress would push me to go to my GP.


But...
At the end of the day, this person hasn't asked personally for a phased RTW because of a pet. She's been signed off sick by her GP for stress. Whether the death of her pet caused the stress, or something else, or a combination, is less relevant. She's signed off, and her GP recommends a phased return to work. That's the only concern. Get OH involved if you need to, and as she's been a model employee, I would see this as a serious request and not taking the p*ss.

KiKi

moremore

McKneff wrote: »

Jesus, I didnt have that much time off when me mother died:eek:

I was not given any time off even to go to the funeral when my brother died. I do not know what they would say if I asked for time off due to a pet died. There this was not any employer it was.............cannot say anymore.

Pennywise2012

I agree with the posters who's feel that there's more going on than just the death of a pet. It could be the straw that broke the camel's back, or it could even be something completely different that's going on in their life, and they've just said the cat because they don't want to discuss the real reason behind it - the sick note doesn't actually say 'dead cat', does it?

Either way, they have a sick note from their GP, and no previous record of swinging the lead. I would suggest that you go with it, be supportive without being pushy, and try nip in the bud any 'they had weeks off cos their cat died!' sniping from other members of the team.

If it's at all possible, try and have him/her working with staff that are very into their pets for the first couple of days - they'll get lots of sympathy, have a good cry, and hopefully feel better.

Sparklebabey

My beloved doggy died earlier this year. I came in from work and thought he was lying sleeping in the hall (usual) until I noticed the small pool of blood beside his nose

I was hysterical and had to phone my Dad to come down to the house and wrap him up so we could take him to the vets (he was to be cremated) and I was so so sad. I never slept at all that night.

I did go in to work the next again day but only for 2 reasons...I have an absolute horror of a boss who hates children so I can imagine her response to a pet and also if I am totally honest I would have felt a bit silly saying I needed time off for a pet death - I would worry I was being ridiculed (much like some of the answers here).

I agree that this sounds much deeper and that the cat death could be the straw that broke the camels back. Maybe there are other issues such as money worries, relationship breakdown etc but nonetheless her GP has signed her off so that has to be adhered to.

But phased return? After 2.5 weeks off??!! That is ridiculous. I have had 2 periods of phased return in my working life and both were because I had been off for 6 months +....the point of phased return is to get you back into the swing of working life which after 3 weeks I doubt you would lose.

realshannon

i think there may be other issues with this person, yes, it is terrible to lose a pet and yes I have several and have lost alot but maybe this death has been the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak, maybe try and find out gently, when they are back to work, what the real issues are and if anything can be done to help. I work for a large organisation and we do have a counselling service, initially by telephone which is very good and there are also pet bereavement services too, think the Blue Cross or PDSA have trained volunteers

thegirlintheattic

Two weeks off is bad enough but if there are underlying problems could be explained. A four-week phased return!?! The employee is pulling a fast one. I went to work the day after a close family member died, not once but twice (different people obviously). Only had a few days off for the funeral (day for funeral plus travel time).

pimento

dseventy wrote: »

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

I'd like to work for you!

My cat was run over and I got a phone call while I was on the train on the way to work. I returned home, buried the cat decided I'd be better at work so went to work. I was gutted but that's the way it is. What could I do at home?
Mind you, different strokes for different folks.

MrsE_2

In the public sector a week is the going rate for close family. I would think it reasonable to use annual leave for a pet.