Absence because of pet death

CFC

dseventy wrote: »

Not strictly true. She would have had paid leave until Monday.

As the sick note start froms today, she is covered by it and still gets paid.

D70

So what? She's sick.She has been a model employee. She's hardly likely to decide now NOT to be a model employee. She obviously has an issue or two. She's not been signed off because her cat died, she's been signed off with a stress related problem. You need to treat it the same as you would treat any other stress related disorder.

TrickyWicky

Hi D70,

Sorry I've not read this thread from start to finish so I'm really replying to your opening post.

Pets to many of us (especially those of us with no real family) are pretty much family. When one dies / gets killed it can devestate a person. It happened to me many moons ago, I lost a pet that I was very close to and 6 months later it could still bring me to tears (still does now when I wake up from a dream about him too). I suppose what I'm saying is don't be too hard on this person. They may not have anyone or anything else left at home for company / companionship and if for instance they have colleagues that are difficult (which you won't be told about by your managers who want you to think they're wonderful) then life will be even harder for them to return to work.

This may also have gone further than the loss of a pet, it may genuinely have brought on stress for the person who is suddenly finding it hard to cope with life. It's all too easy for those living the good times to say "Hey, cheer up, get a grip" etc but for those who have little left to live for that can be a real kick in the teeth. Don't forget this isn't just a pet passing away naturally, this is a pet / member of family that had its life taken from it. The member of staff will be going through a real range of emotions right now.

If the doctor has got involved I would say you should go with it. By your own admission the member of staff has been good (yes I've just scrolled back up page 1 and read a bit more) so I reckon you should do the decent thing and let them return in a way that they are able to cope with. Perhaps you could pay for the pet to be buried at a pet cemetary - show that member that the management are thinking of them? - It's always nice to know that the bosses care about you.

You seem like a really good person D70 - most companies wouldn't even ask us for our opinion they'd just strictly follow policy and unofficially start the "get rid" process. It's a shame there aren't more like you out there D70, you'd make such a big difference to the nation between you.

TrickyWicky

McKneff wrote: »

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

Actually thats a good point I'd like to comment on.

A relative of mine didn't cry when his parents died. His pet cat went and he sobbed for weeks. We're not all close to parents or other human family - they can be more trouble than they're worth. Pets can be a very lovable substitute for many so this will always be egg shell territory.

arbroath_lass

It seems to me (and I am just guessing based on what the OP has said) that there is something more going on - the death of a beloved pet was just the last straw.

It sounds as though the GP has prescribed some sort of antidepressants. From what I remember these take several weeks to work and could explain both the two weeks sick leave and the phased return.

Errata

Manager said take the rest of the week off (this was Weds) on full pay and come in Monday.

Good grief, what's the manager on?

TrickyWicky

Errata wrote: »

Good grief, what's the manager on?

Good old british decency.

Just becuse there isn't any in most jobs doesn't give you the right to insist D70 cuts it short in their own company.

Errata

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Good old british decency.

Just becuse there isn't any in most jobs doesn't give you the right to insist D70 cuts it short in their own company.

I haven't insisted on any right, I posed a question. There is a difference.

TrickyWicky

Good point you did pose a question but it was one of those questions that looked like it was paving the way for a "this isn't right" remark in the future.

Errata

If I wanted to remark I thought a manager giving a worker almost three days paid leave because the cat had kicked the bucket was a curious and quite bizarre state of affairs, I would have done so.

Kynthia

The problem is that just because 99% of people would react a certain way doesn't mean that the 1% are taking the mic or are over emotional. It does sound excessive but a doctor wouldn't sign them off if they weren't ill, so they must be ill and therefore the cause isn't really relevant.

I've managed staff who've lost a parent and they are always hearbroken and tearful for weeks. They usually need a week or two off work for compassionate reasons and maybe use some of their annual leave too. However one person took it particularly hard, got depressed and physically ill too and was off work for months and months. It took time to get back to normal even once they returned to work and many people couldn't understand why they were so bad when most people are back in a fortnight, but just because most people handle it doesn't mean this person wasn't ill.