Pet-ernity Leave

The domestic animal equivalent of maternity leave.

Australia’s Herald Sun reported on a novel employment perk offered by Virgin Mobile down under:

First we had maternity leave, then came paternity leave. And now we have “pet-ernity” leave. Virgin Mobile has offered five unpaid days off to staff who have a new puppy or kitten.

“We recognise that our staff may want to be at home for the first week or so with their new addition, to settle the pet and get them used to their surrounds,” a company spokeswoman said.