My manager was off today because her dog died on Saturday morning.

[IwishIwasacaterpillar]

Am I being an arsehole to think this is a bit ridiculous?

It seems like it sets a precedent. I have three cats, will I get a day off each time one of them dies ?

Some people get weirdly angry when they find out other people love their pets. Such an odd way to behave.

None of this is about the dog really is it? It’s about the OP being dissatisfied with her life and looking to distract herself from that. She’s almost definitely already pissed off with her manager (wants their job but not good enough maybe?) so has taken the ‘path of least effort’ in an attempt to feel superior. This kind of behaviour is a habit for people who are mentally lazy. Maybe it’s time ‘self-awareness’ became a school subject? It’d benefit us all.

Some weirdo I worked with said that losing her cat was worse than losing a child. She was childless. I have/had multiple pets but I think people are ridiculous with their anthropomorphic fur babies.

She probably meant it was worse than losing a child to her, seeing as she is childless and will never lose a child, so can not compare anyway.

If only. Imagine if everyone just stopped being a dickhead.

Almost certainly that was what was said but, you know, any excuse to use the anthropomorphic buzzword.

I think your being very harsh . Some people have a very strong bond with their pets and grieve as if it were a family member. Their loss shouldn't be mocked just because you dont feel the same way.

Sorry but do you think a paid week off was really appropriate?

Do most adults really need to make the comparison?! It’s common sense that it isn’t remotely the same

It was up to her manager, and they cleared it. Does it affect you at all?
Maybe people should be pushing for time off for traumatic events that are not just losing a spouse/parent/child.

Some people lose their pets and fall to pieces. They would not be able to function, let alone work. Maybe @Namechange2567 manager recognised that and showed some compassion.

I was given time off when my cat died (2 days in fact). I couldn't work as I wouldn't be able to concentrate or stop crying.

You can only compare if you have personally experienced both.

It depends on how close someone is to their pet.

My cat died a few years ago. I called a friend, who basically laughed at my tears and told me "It's just a bloody cat. You can get another."

Fast forward to last year and she was genuinely distraught when her dog died. She didn't work, barely spoke and ended up becoming ill because she wasn't eating.

The impact losing a pet can have can take some people by surprise. Even those who previously thought anyone crying a day later is some sort of wuss who needs to build resilience.

My colleague took a day for the family dog. She was a lovely, caring woman. When she came back she had tears in her eyes for days. I really felt for her.

It is so hard.
My mum still tears up talking about her lurcher who died about 10 years ago.
I still have my dog, albeit elderly and on borrowed time. I tear up talking about what is to come. I know I will be an absolute mess when that time comes where I have to let her go.

Not a pet person. But a day off doesn’t seem unreasonable

I’m so lucky that when my beloved dog died many years ago my company gave me a week off because I was so grief struck I was no good to anyone. It was on the proviso that I made the time up at a later date when I was up to it or there was an urgent need for me to cover. They were so compassionate and understanding.

Excellent reply to that increasingly obnoxious poster!

I’ve seen a few comments like this. I think if @Namechange2567had explained more fully in this original post, the responses would be different. They are a vet, had to work on their own sick dog to try to save him/her, then euthanise them, in their place of work. That’s tough.

Are managers somehow expected to be immune to feelings and emotions?
they’re just like everyone else, they feel grief and hurt too.
Personally the worst grief I’ve ever experienced was losing my dog. Luckily I happened to be on annual leave the week we lost him, if I wasn’t then I probably would have needed a day or two off, I was utterly heartbroken.

OP said her manager works from home. If her manager had her dog PTS at home, then her dog passed in her workplace too. A place that her dog was present all the time she was working, and also relaxing.
I wonder if she has actually had some time away from home to get away from that agonising emptiness that is now exists in her workplace and home.

I don't work, so I am home all the time with my dog. When she is gone, I will be staying elsewhere for a while.

My husband and I both went to work the day after our respective mothers died. They were both very old and ill and it wasn't a surprise, but staying off for the death of a dog, even a very loved one is taking the p*ss. Unfortunately people are indulged for being a bit pathetic these days.

Some people will celebrate the death of their mother.
Some people have no one and nothing but their dog. I say you are pathetic for thinking that everyone should grieve a set way. Life does not work like that.

I don't understand why the employer should be expected to pay a member of staff for not working in these circumstances, and why other staff should be expected to cover. And if you're paid for a day off when your dog dies, what about when your boyfriend breaks up with you? What about when you're sad because your daughter's left home for university? Where does it end? Just use your holiday entitlement fgs.