South African laws are continuously being updated to adapt to socio-economic developments, but some perks – such as ‘pawternity leave’ – are still at the discretion of individual companies.<\/p>\n
According to Nicol Myburgh, head of HR at CRS Technologies, ‘pawternity’ or ‘furternity’ leave is the offer of time off to be with a new pet.<\/p>\n
This is not a statutory form of leave and falls within the category of unregulated leave offered at the employer\u2019s discretion, he said.<\/p>\n
“It is important for employers to know that they don\u2019t have to wait for legislation to come into effect in order to implement pawternity leave – employers may choose to offer ten hours or three days per year, or even more. It is entirely at their discretion,\u201d said Myburgh.<\/p>\n
He said that if employers wish to implement pawternity leave in their company, a policy must be formulated that includes the amount of leave days offered, the qualifying criteria (e.g. sick pet or adoption of a new pet), and the burden of proof required (e.g. vet\u2019s note for a sick pet and a breeder\u2019s certificate for a new pet).<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain, it is up to the employer to decide what criteria to apply, Myburgh said.<\/p>\n
While implementing pet related leave could lead to happier employees (knowing that the company cares), Myburgh pointed out that the risk \u2013 and potential cost to the company \u2013 is that it is open to abuse and must be closely monitored.<\/p>\n
“Employers are generally free to offer staff various types of leave not covered by legislation but recognised and governed by company policy and contracts.<\/p>\n
“This \u2018other leave\u2019 is not a right and ought to be seen as a privilege,” he said.<\/p>\n
Myburgh distinguishes between leave covered by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which includes annual, sick, family responsibility, and maternity leave, and non-statutory \u2018other leave\u2019 such as study, cultural, and now pawternity leave.<\/p>\n
Prior to approving \u2018other leave\u2019 types, companies should weigh the business risk against operational requirements and the number of staff members needed to achieve operational goals, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor instance, if an employee takes leave that keeps him\/her away from the office for a long period of time, like sabbatical leave, the employer should determine whether the employee\u2019s absence will negatively impact the business operations,\u201d Myburgh said.<\/p>\n
Pet bereavement<\/strong><\/p>\n While pet-bereavement and \u2018pawternity\u2019 leave is increasingly being offered in countries such as the US, Canada, Norway, Sweden and Finland \u2013 it is still a relatively new concept in South Africa.<\/p>\n Business Insider reports<\/a> <\/strong>that at least seven UK companies currently offer\u00a0 ‘pet paternity’ leave to their employees.<\/p>\n The University of KwaZuluNatal (UKZN) also recently introduced<\/a> <\/strong>a new pet-bereavement policy \u2013 allowing staff a day off to mourn a departed dog, cat or any other animal which was close to them.<\/p>\n The policy \u2013 which applies to employees\u2019 registered pets \u2013 came into effect in April 2018.<\/p>\n