Welcome back to my column hope you are all enjoying the summer despite the weather.

I came across an article the other week and thought it was a really important issue.

A lady lost her job because she took the day off work because her dog died. She had asked her employer if she could have the day off and they refused, but Emma Mcnulty said she was “physically sick” and had grown up with her beloved dog.

After taking the day off she was sacked so she has now started a petition you can sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/emma-mcnulty-allow-bereavement-leave-from-work-following-the-death-of-a-family-pet

She is calling on the government to recognise pet bereavement.

ACAS arbitration services, say “Grief impacts on emotional and physical wellbeing”

1 in 10 people will be affected.

As an employee, you have the right to take time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant.

According to the government website, compassionate leave can be granted to someone as paid or unpaid. It can also be at the discretion of an employer, so it is important to check your contract of employment or company handbook.

The law gives an employee reasonable time off to deal with bereavement and although pets are not specifically mentioned it is known that losing a pet can impact in the same way as losing a person.

People do not understand the impact of losing a pet has, and how it can cause depression anxiety and many other emotions.

The Blue Cross has a helpline for people who are suffering as a result of losing a pet.

0800-096-6606 or you can send an email to pbssmail@bluecross.org

www.livingwithpetbereavement.com/poems.html