Q: I am somewhat embarrassed to ask this question, but is it OK to ask for time off to care for my dog—a car hit her and she cries when I leave. I absolutely love my dog.
A. No need to be embarrassed. Friday June 20 marked the 16th anniversary of Bring Your Pet our Pet to Work Day. In the United States, 83 millions dogs have owners and, employers recognize that their 18-34 year old employees are especially attached to their woofers. Consider the dog-friendly companies where Fido shares your workspace. Alas, from your question, you are not so employed.
However, now is the time to create flexibility in how and where you work. Flexible work schedules, working remotely (from home) or using vacation days to cover a myriad of special and (often) short-term crises can help you meet your needs at home and get your work done. Talk to your manager or HR professional for guidance. Your first priority:
- Am I able to work remotely for the next 7-10 days?
Longer term:
- What is the work-life balance that you would like to have with your pooch?
- Do you currently leave work at the same time each day to ensure that you arrive in time to walk your dog? Does this cause any comments? Negative feedback? Impact on your ability to complete your work? If the answer is no—no problem.
- What is your Plan B for work-related travel? Given your workload right now, is it best to employ the dog sitter or ask to work remotely? Remember—you get more credit working with your boss and colleagues through a “pinch” time.
Note: If you travel to Paris you have probably noticed that dogs have their own social standing. It’s likely that Parisian dogs would look down their snouts at our precious best friends. Not traveling to Paris soon? Well read this “hip Paris blog” about dogs in Paris and enjoy a laugh.