Emma told her manager that she could not go into work because she was “physically sick” with grief.

Worker dismissed after the sudden death of her dog 

A petition to allow workers to take bereavement leave from work after the death of a family pet has received more than 9,000 signatures. 


The petition was started by Emma McNulty from Glasgow, who said she was “too devastated” to work after the sudden death of her dog, Millie.  


Emma told her manager that she could not go into work because she was “physically sick” with grief. But she was subsequently sent messages informing her that she must find cover or risk losing her job altogether.

Emma said that she did not go into work that day and was later dismissed. Writing on the Change.org petition, Emma said:


“I think it’s disgusting how some company’s think it’s acceptable to treat someone in this way with no remorse, a family pet (in my case my dog) has just as much importance as a human family member.

“It’s time company’s [sic] acknowledged this and give people the time they need to grieve with no worry of loosing [sic] their job.”

At the time of writing, Emma’s petition had gained 9,663 signatures of its 10,000 target.