pawternity leave

[paw-tur-ni-tee leev]

noun

1. a brief leave of absence for employees who are adding a new pet to their household, caring for a pet when it is sick or injured, or mourning the death of a pet.

   A whole week of pawternity leave, with eight hours of it paid, was the deciding factor in her taking the job.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pawternity leave¹

First recorded in 2015–20; jocular formation after paternity leave ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Doctors A woman suffers severe burns; social media fitness dangers; “pawternity” leave; heartburn.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Newspaper reports were quick to praise the scheme that Brewdog has dubbed "pawternity" leave.

Read more on BBC