A legislative proposal would change the Workers’ Statute and other restrictions to protect the link between workers and their pets. This proposal argues that the emotional relationship between people and their dogs is becoming more essential and should be properly acknowledged in the legal and social arenas. In this light, the Coordinator of Professionals for the Prevention of Abuse (CoPPA) has filed a legislative proposal to the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy calling for paid leave in the workplace in the event of a pet’s illness or death.
Among the proposed amendments, a noteworthy change is the acknowledgement of a one-day paid leave for the death of an animal. According to several scientific research, the grief process for the loss of an animal with whom one has lived can be similar to that experienced following the death of a close family member or friend. Psychiatrist Elsa Alonso, a grieving and post-traumatic stress specialist, notes that the loss of a cherished pet can have a significant negative influence on those who lived with it. “Numerous studies have found that the death of an animal can generate physical, emotional, social, and cognitive repercussions, such as sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, anxiety, worry, loneliness, feelings of emptiness, risk of self-harm, or difficulty concentrating.”
In addition to the emotional impact, the plan emphasises the legal requirement to care for animals when they get sick. Current regulations establish obligations on animal owners and guardians regarding their welfare and healthcare, and failure can result in administrative or criminal penalties. The project believes it is critical that employees are able to undertake these responsibilities without jeopardising their job security.
The proposal amends the Workers’ Statute, the Basic Statute of Public Employees, and other regulations, such as the Law Regulating Social Jurisdiction and the Law On Infractions and Sanctions in the Social Order, with the goal of incorporating these new provisions throughout labour legislation.
A multidisciplinary team of labour law, psychology, and psychiatric experts developed the document, addressing it from a broad perspective. The paper was written by Oriol Cremades Chueca, a professor of Labour Law at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. His recent publications have focused on adapting the work permit system to new family and emotional realities.
The idea is consistent with the expansion of other regulatory frameworks, such as the Civil Code, which already recognises moral losses caused by an animal’s loss or worsening health, both for its owner and those who live with it. Thus, this legislative initiative intends to take another step towards adapting labour law to the societal transformations of the twenty-first century.
Author: Derek Appleton
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