Make employers offer bereavement leave following the death of a pet

Closed 72 signatures

What the petition asks

The loss of a pet is a traumatic experience with research showing that the death of a companion animal is "just as devastating as the loss of a human significant other" (Planchon et al, 2002: 94). Yet Employment rights do not currently recognise the loss of a pet in terms of bereavement leave.

Academic studies repeatedly show that companion animal guardians (pet owners) consider their companion animals as family members (Voith, 1985). Consequently the grief following a pet's death carries the same psychological and physical problems that occur when a significant human dies (Gerwolls & Labott, 1994). Employment rights recognise the need for a period of bereavement leave following the death of a human dependent but no formalised equivalent is afforded following the loss of a pet.

Timeline

11 Aug 2016	Petition opened for signatures
11 Feb 2017	Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 72

Status Closed

Opened 11 Aug 2016

Closed 11 Feb 2017

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