Paw-ternity leave for pet owners
You’ve heard about parental leave, but what about paw-rental leave?
Financial services firm FlexiGroup has introduced an employment policy designed to help pet owners better balance their work and home lives.
It means that employees can take up to five days’ leave when they introduce a new cat or dog into the family.
If an animal dies, they can take a day’s paid leave for bereavement.
It was prompted by the death of chief people officer Nicole Francis’s dog, Mia, last year.
Chief executive Chris Lamers said the company aimed to have an inclusive workplace.
‘‘When someone’s pet dies, or they get a new pet, it can be quite life-changing.’’
He said it reflected the changing face of New Zealand households, with more people opting to have children later in life, or not at all.