Professional March 2024

PAYROLL PETS

Modern life is incredibly busy. Combining work and home life can be a balancing act, and recently, we’ve all been exposed to considerable uncertainty. Pets can really help our mental well-being and help us find some solace and stability in difficult times. We asked you, the payroll professionals, to show us your pets.

Here are just a few of your wonderful furry and feathered friends...

Name: Pablo Sent by: Justine Riccomini MSc FFTA AIPA Chartered MCIPD ChFCIPP, head of taxation, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland “We found Pablo at the Dogs Trust in Leeds last June, when he was a nine-week old underweight sleepy puppy. His breeder left him there because being the runt of the litter, he had sustained a scratch across his left eye while in the whelping pen with the other pups which left him with some permanent damage. We didn’t know if the eye would die. The breeder probably thought they wouldn’t get two grand for him. “I named him Pablo because it’s my favourite Spanish boy’s name, and in Spanish you can also say that something is ‘muy pablo’ to describe anything diminutive and cute. “We’re so glad they didn’t want him, because Pablo has turned from a rather lethargic puppy with an underdeveloped milky eye (which has stayed blue), to an amazing, loving, energetic, handsome and intelligent superstar! We love the fact he has different coloured eyes, and what’s even better is that now the milkyness has cleared, the vet says he can see through it, albeit only partially – he just looks round the scar. “Pablo is the best company, and he is naughty, greedy and makes me laugh when he walks round on his hind legs! But he was exceptionally easy to train and is a very good boy overall.”

Names: Xander and Willow Sent by: Amy May ACIPP, payroll manager, Spaghetti Bridge “Here you see Xander and Willow in their natural, (un)helpful poses. “Xander insists on jumping on my desk and running over my laptop on a regular basis, he’s incredibly affectionate but simultaneously a huge pain! He has taken to watching over me working from the top of the fridge-freezer. “Willow is affectionate, but on her terms. She brings gifts of mice heads which need disposal before the workday can begin. She disliked Xander’s arrival last summer and went to a neighbour’s house for peace and quiet every day for six months. Can’t say I blamed her! “These guys help a girl feel less lonely as a home worker. They’re not very chatty colleagues but, teamed with true crime podcasts, they have greatly helped with the adjustment.”

Name: Danny Sent by: Emma Grantham- Kelsall ACIPP, human resources salary administrator, ForFarmers N.V. “This is Danny and he will be 20 this year in May. He’s an Irish Sport Horse. He has been with me since August 2016 and this is where he will stay. He’s an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to look after. “He loves mud (I’m sure he was a hippopotamus in a previous life) and his favourite treat is a Stud Muffin. He’s my wind down after a busy day and always lends a good ear.”

If you’ve submitted your payroll pet to us and they’re not included, you’ll see them in a future issue of Professional .

58 | Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | March 2024 | Issue 98

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