Melbourne workers could soon be entitled to leave to care for their sick pets

Is this fur real? Melbourne workers could soon be entitled to leave to care for their sick PETS

  • Workers could soon be entitled to compassionate leave if their pets fall ill 
  • Proposed move has received backing from Victorian Trades Hall Council
  • Melbourne company was the first in Australia to adopt pet leave policy for staff

Pet lovers could soon be entitled to time off to care for their sick pets. 

The move has received union backing in Victoria, where some pet-friendly companies have already implemented the groundbreaking policy. 

Ivana Stachowicz, from Melbourne, says she’s still struggling to deal with her grief after making the heartbreaking decision to put down her 10-year-old pooch Tia after she fell gravely ill earlier this year.

Ivana Stachowicz is still heartbroken over the loss of Tia (pictured) earlier this year

Tia had been a much-loved family member since being adopted as a puppy. 

‘It’s been really hard to process and find comfort,’ Ms Stachowicz told Seven News.

Grievance counsellor Tracey Woods wants to see pet bereavement written into workplace agreements.

‘There’s no real follow up of how people are going,’ Ms Woods said.

Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world where 62 per of households have a pet family member.

The RSPCA estimates there are 20 dogs and 16 cats for every 100 Australians.

NSW and Victoria account for 60 per cent of all pets in Australia, and 59 per cent of the nation’s human population. 

Ivana Stachowicz supports calls for staff to be able to take leave to care and grieve for pets

Ivana Stachowicz supports calls for staff to be able to take leave to care and grieve for pets

Victorian Trades Hall Council supports the push for pet bereavement leave.

‘As trade unions, we will always stand in solidarity to support working people who are fighting for things that are important to them,’ secretary Luke Hilakari said in a statement in Daily Mail Australia.

‘For many people, pets are dear loved ones and losing them can be emotional and traumatic.’

‘We understand why some people will need time to grieve the loss of a pet, and bosses should show compassion and decency to support them to do that.’

Ivana was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to put down gravely ill dog Tia (pictured)

Ivana was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to put down gravely ill dog Tia (pictured)

Melbourne educational technology company Versa Learning became the first workplace in Australia last year to introduce leave for staff to care for sick pets.

The policy includes two days for pet bereavement leave, five days to care for a sick or injured pet and two days to help new pets settle in into the new homes.

‘Many of our employees with pets consider them an important part of the family and would be devastated if they died or were injured,’ Verso chief executive Colin Wood told the Maribyrnong Leader at the time.

‘Our new policy recognises this and means they will not need to worry about work at an already difficult and stressful time.’

Victorian Trades Hall Council's Luke Hilakari supports the push for pet bereavement leave

Victorian Trades Hall Council’s Luke Hilakari supports the push for pet bereavement leave

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk