PetCulture petition demands workplace leave entitlements for pet owners

Australian pet owners want workplaces to implement pet policies and acknowledgment similar to what parents of children receive.

With more pets than people in Australia – about 29 million pets compared to about 25.7 million people – pressure is mounting on businesses to acknowledge the role domesticated companions play in our lives.

New data reveals 81 per cent of pet owners want greater flexibility in the workplace when it comes to the care of their pets.

More than 60 per cent say they don’t feel supported by their workplace to do this, according to a study of 1000 Australians by online pet company PetCulture.

The study also found almost one third feel a lack of pet-friendly workplace policies is “outdated” and “archaic” and needs to be changed.

Australian pet owners want more flexibility and understanding from businesses on the needs of their pets. Picture: iStock

This includes launching a national petition today calling on workplaces to introduce pet-friendly policies.

“This includes two days off when introducing a new pet to the family, sick leave or even grievance leave,” PetCulture CEO Simon Smith says, adding the business will be introducing their own PETernity policies for staff.

“As Australians return to the office, we understand the transition period for new and existing pets can be difficult and we want to throw our support and understanding behind Aussie pet parents.”

YOU’LL TAKE LEAVE ANYWAY

Writer and comedian Michelle Azevedo is a pet parent with Sam Bowden to their dog, Bugle, and their cat, Sherlock.

am Bowden and Michelle Azevedo with their dog Bugle. Picture: Supplied

Azevedo says while past employers have made tending to a pet’s needs more difficult, her current employer was more progressive.

“At previous workplaces I had more issues with Sherlock,” she says. “Once in a while I would need to come to the office a bit later because Sherlock was sick or knocked over a vase and would cut himself if I didn’t clean it. My employer definitely was not understanding.

“When it comes to your pets’ wellbeing, you need an area of understanding – it’s not an area that you want to be micromanaged.

“My current boss was saying when it comes to people taking leave to care for their pets, people are going to take the leave anyway.

“They will put their pets first over work, so you need to give them the opportunity, not just for their wellbeing but to help them be better in your business.”

For many pet owners, their animal comes first. Picture: iStock

GRIEVING A FAMILY MEMBER

With one-third of Aussie pet owners seeing their pet as a child or baby, according to the PetCulture survey, BoldHR founder Rebecca Houghton says this can translate differently in the workplace.

“Love, care and grief – the feeling, responsibility and devastation that is associated with personal caregiving, be that to a parent, child or pet, should all be treated the same way,” she says.

“The pet versus child debate is a values-based argument, it means no one can ever be proven right or wrong, so make a decision based on the values of your organisation and accept that whatever your decision is, it won’t make 100 per cent of your team happy.”

PETS IN WORK NOT THE ANSWER

As for allowing pets in the workplace, Houghton is not convinced.

“I can see pets at work being troublesome,” she says.

“Allergies, toilet training, fur everywhere and bad behaviour simply isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. And I pity the cleaners.”

Originally published as PetCulture petition demands workplace leave entitlements for pet owners