When an Employee's Pet Passes, Give Them Time and Space to Grieve

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LinkedIn co-founder and his wife recently lost their beloved cat, Merlin, to leukemia. The grieving period should be viewed no differently than if an employee takes sick days to recover from the flu. Grief often feels worse than illness, the toll is significant, and it is not something that can be ignored or repressed or delayed. Grieving for a dearly-departed family member — human or otherwise — is even more so. It is in everyone’s interest. People who are in a period of grief should not feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to take a few “sick days” off from work so they can recover.