From Fastcompany · · 2m
Half of pet owners lie about taking time off for their animals
A survey reveals working pet owners routinely fabricate reasons for absences, exposing deeper workplace culture problems around paid time off.
In brief
A survey reveals working pet owners routinely fabricate reasons for absences, exposing deeper workplace culture problems around paid time off. Nearly half of working pet owners lie to their bosses about taking time off for pet care, reflecting broader guilt around using paid time off. Originally reported by…
Nearly half lie about pet time off
In a recent survey, forty-six percent of working pet owners said they usually give their boss a cover story when taking time off for their pet.
Calling in sick for pets
Nearly a quarter, twenty-four percent, said they had called in sick when it was really their pet who was under the weather.
Other cover stories used
Some working pet owners invented family emergencies, fourteen percent, and personal appointments instead of telling their bosses the real reason for their absences.
Pet emergencies matter to workers
More than twenty percent of respondents said they would look for a new job if they were refused time off for a pet emergency.
Strong support for pet leave laws
Eighty-four percent said they would support a law letting workers use paid sick leave to care for a sick pet.
Who conducted the survey
MetLife Pet Insurance contacted one thousand nine working pet parents, finding that the average working pet owner misses two workdays per year due to a pet's health.
The real problem runs deeper
The bigger issue may be why so many pet owners feel guilty enough to cover up a perfectly understandable reason for taking paid time off.
Broader PTO guilt in workplaces
Surveys show nearly half of U.S. workers don't take all their paid time off every year, often because workplace hustle culture and fear of falling behind make them feel guilty.
Management pressure compounds guilt
Pressure from management and other factors make workers feel guilty about taking the paid time off they are entitled to use.
The short version
Nearly half of working pet owners lie to their bosses about taking time off for pet care, reflecting broader guilt around using paid time off.
