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Pawternity Leave

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Pawternity Leave

First there was maternity leave. Then came paternity leave. But the latest workplace time-off trend is exclusively for four-legged babies: pawternity. That’s right, fur babies are finally getting the recognition and respect they deserve, as increasing numbers of pet parents are given paid leave in order to spend quality time with their new arrivals.

Time off to bond with new babies has long been a workplace benefit, even a statutory right. But now more and more employers are coming to the conclusion that employees who have a new fur baby at home have pressing needs, too.




Employers are implementing animal-friendly policies as part of a growing trend to do more to attract good workers, and to keep them happy and satisfied from 9 to 5.

The latest company to jump on the pawternity bandwagon is HarperCollins India. This year the forward-thinking company implemented a policy allowing up to five paid working days off to any employee with a newly adopted pet. The company also allows employees to have their pets in specially designated areas throughout the office.

If you’ve ever been in this situation, you know that having a week off to care for and bond with your new fur baby is a tremendous benefit, not just a perk. Waving goodbye in the morning to your little one is hard enough, but it’s especially heart wrenching knowing that your pet needs you to help it acclimate to its new environment and routine.

Related: How To Pick A Puppy That Is Right For You

Thus far pawternity is a concept that’s more accepted overseas than in the US, but change is inevitable, right? According to the pet insurance provider Petplan, employers throughout the UK are now providing pawternity to 5% of new pet-parent employees.

In a report issued by the company, Petplan notes, “The rise in new pet owners taking pup-ternity leave indicates that people recognize the importance of settling in new pets with the right support and care. The early days of a kitten or puppy’s life are a vital part of the pet’s early development — especially for them to become a proper member of the family.”

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We couldn’t have said it better ourselves: pawternity is a welcome trend whose time has come!

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5 Comments
  1. Mary says

    While this is an adorable idea, I don’t see this catching on in the US. We currently have a lot of places don’t allow maternity leave or paternity leave.

    We may continue to just use vacation days to bond with our for legged family members. I wish we could take more though.

  2. Rosey says

    How sweet to offer incentives for taking care of an adopted pet. That is good in more ways than one.

  3. Jennifer says

    Pawternity Leave? I have never heard of this before. I think employers should first focus on improving maternity and paternity leave before implementing leave time to care for a pet. My husband only gets a week off for his paternity leave. Pawternity sounds like an interesting concept for pets who have medical issues, though.

  4. Katrina gehman says

    It’s an Interesting concept but I think maternity and paternity need to be focused on more. I love my furbabies but do think that human babies and their parents need priority

  5. jamie says

    Pawternity leave… hmm interesting concept. I’d like to know what companies are offering this. Probably a good one to work for.

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