'Pet bereavement leave' adopted at HR software firm

An HR software company in the US has joined two others and offered their staff pet bereavement leave, CBS reports.

Maxwell Health encourages workers to take time off when and where they need it, and the loss of a pet is no exception to them. They join Trupanion, a pet insurance company, and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants in their commitment to the scheme.

Trupanion offer a single day of pet bereavement leave, whereas Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants offer up to three days off.

A 2009 study by researchers at the University of Hawaii found that 30% of pet owners felt emotions of sadness and grief for up to six months after their pet had died. Worker expectations are splintering, and no ‘one size fits all’ policy will keep the entire workforce satisfied anymore. It is up to HR to keep their finger on the pulse of the organisation and implement strategy accordingly.