Thank you Greg James — everyone should get compassionate leave when a pet dies

We’re told dogs are a man’s best friend, so why aren’t they treated that way when they die? (Picture: Greg James) This morning, the airwaves sounded a little different, as Radio 1 Breakfast DJ Greg James missed his morning show to process the ‘horrible’ news that his beloved pooch, Barney, has died. Affectionately known as Barn, Greg would often share pictures of his chocolate labrador online, subsequently gathering quite the fandom. Paired with a picture, Greg wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m sorry to bring such horrible news, but we had to put our lovely Barn to sleep earlier today. ‘I can’t really get my head around it. But he was peaceful, we were with him at home in the garden in the sunshine, and I can’t stop crying. ‘I know how loved this unbelievably daft farty brilliant dog was and I adored sharing him with everyone on here.’ Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. He asked his followers not to ‘pile in’ with DMs to both him and his wife Bella, describing them as ‘completely floored’ by it. He added: ‘We’re completely floored by it, and I can’t believe our little mate has gone, and it’s very real and very raw and just so f***ing sad. ‘He was the best.’ Greg confirmed he wouldn’t be on air this morning, and sent lots of love to his followers in the meantime, asking for space for the family to process. A few years ago, I went through a similar experience. I grew up with dogs in the family, and over the course of my 28 years, I’ve had the pleasure of having four of these four-legged friends in my life. Processing the death of my first pet when I was little absolutely prepared me for the grief I’d experience later on down the line, when my grandma, who was like a second mother to me, passed away. For this reason, I’m absolutely in favour of Greg taking some time away from work for compassionate leave. I wish I’d had the courage to do the same when my Jack Russell, Peppa (Pig, we called her) died in 2021. At the time, I was a very junior journalist working my first proper big girl job, and I didn’t feel I could mention it to my colleagues. She was old, so it was to be expected (17, which is pretty good innings, even for a mongrel). We lost her one evening, after she’d been feeling poorly for a good few days. I wasn’t at home at the time, as I’d recently moved out, and I wish I’d had the chance to say a proper goodbye to her. She died a natural death, in my bedroom of all places, where she felt most at home. She was a scruffy little dog, but she was my best pal (Picture: Eleanor Noyce) Luckily, I was working from my flat the next day rather than the office, but that didn’t stop the tears falling down my face as I attempted to write something that vaguely made sense and put on a brave, united front. I remember telling myself that I needed to pull it together; that she was only a dog, and she’d lived such a lovely, long life. We were lucky to have had her around for so long, and I told myself I was even luckier not to have lost a human in my life. Then, I thought: does it really matter? Grief is grief, and while undoubtedly some forms are more heartbreaking than others (I’m not for a moment suggesting losing a pet is the same as losing a parent, or a partner), you’re still reckoning with a form of loss. Sometimes it can come as a shock, too. It sounds silly, but when my black labrador, Sadie, died, my mum let me have a day off school, because I was fifteen and I couldn’t stop crying. How on earth was she supposed to pack me off like everything was fine? To be clear, I’m also not advocating that people spend weeks off work after losing a pet. Two-thirds of people report feeling guilty for asking for time off (Picture: Getty Images) When my pooch died, I would’ve just appreciated one afternoon off, so I could pull myself together and process a little bit, perhaps even catch a train home to my mum’s, and work from my childhood bedroom instead. One 2018 study found two-thirds of pet owners felt uncomfortable asking their workplaces for time off when their fluffy friends died. For this reason, I’m glad Greg has had the courage – and the BBC have been kind enough – to give him the time off to spend with his wife. Because not only does it normalise doing the right thing, but it steps towards normalising that grief. Society tells us dogs are a man’s best friend, and that they’re part of the family, but when it comes to taking time off to mourn their loss? The same allowances aren’t always made. Thank you, Greg, for setting that precedent and showing people that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Barney had gathered quite the online fandom (Picture: Greg James) What are your rights? Beth Hope, a coach and leadership specialist, says there’s no statutory right to leave for losing a pet, plus no general right to paid bereavement leave for most losses, either. She tells Metro: ‘The one real exception is parental bereavement leave for a parent who loses a child. ‘Everything else comes down to your employer’s goodwill.’ In Beth’s view, though, grief should still be treated as grief. ‘For millions of people, a pet is family, the constant in their day. When that bond breaks, the brain doesn’t file it under just a dog,’ Beth says. There are no legal protections for taking bereavement leave for a pet (Picture: Getty Images) ‘It processes it as real loss, with the same fog, exhaustion and inability to concentrate that any bereavement brings. Expecting someone on a work call an hour after their dog has died isn’t professional; it’s just cruel. ‘Grief hijacks focus, memory and decision making, so you don’t get a productive employee, you get a present but broken one.’ More generally, the law on bereavement sets a fairly low bar. In Beth’s opinion, a workplace’s ‘real character’ shows in what it does above and beyond the minimum. ‘If your policy lets someone grieve but your culture makes them feel guilty for taking the time, that’s not a compassionate workplace; it’s a compliant one,’ she shares. ‘The leaders worth working for know the difference.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: One of the UK’s top holiday parks launches beachfront camping from just £7.50 Arrow MORE: Major change to bus tickets across England from today — here’s what you need to know Arrow MORE: There’s a life-size Toy Story experience in London this summer