Would you like to see pet bereavement leave?
Summary
Host Andrea Gilligan discusses the growing need for pet bereavement leave in Ireland, highlighting a UK company’s positive experience with such policies. Guests Anne Marie Troy, a pet bereavement counselor, and Professor Philip Hyland, a psychologist, argue that pet loss causes grief comparable to human loss, yet Irish companies rarely offer this support. Alan Clark shares his personal experience of losing a dog, emphasizing the intense emotional bond and guilt involved. The conversation explores the tension between compassionate workplace policies and the fear of abuse, urging employers to…
Topics discussed
Intro: UK CEO diary on pet bereavement leave
Anne Marie Troy: Current state of pet leave in Ireland
Defining appropriate leave duration and compassion
Pets as immediate family and emotional dependency
Alan Clark shares experience losing his dog of 16 years
Sponsor break: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship cruise
The difficulty of calling in sick and guilt
Listener texts: Pets are family; defining the cutoff
Prof. Philip Hyland: Research on pet loss grief intensity
Why companies hesitate and the bond between humans and pets
Closing remarks and sponsor read
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