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: Bernie Sent by: Lia Newman, payroll administrator, Cheshire West and Chester Council “I’ve been working in payroll for the public sector since 2017, and with Cheshire West and Chester Council since 2018. I began working from home in March 2020 due to the pandemic. “I’d always wanted a dog, and even more so in the early stages of homeworking. However, I felt it wasn’t appropriate as I could be returning to the office at any time. After a year of homeworking, the organisation decided it would become a permanent change. I was always a sociable person, and as my partner continued to go to work as usual, I felt alone most days. “After 14 months of homeworking, Bernie the Poochon came home. He’s a cross between a Bichon Frisé and a Poodle. As I got him at just 12 weeks old, he was a great distraction and challenge for me as he always needed my time. I had to train him and care for him, and he’s changed my life for the better in so many ways. “The smallest things have had the biggest impact, such as when he lets me know he wants to go outside, which has encouraged me to get up, stretch my legs and get a drink. Previously, I could go hours without leaving my desk or getting a drink, even skipping lunch, as I had nothing to distract me. “Bernie loves going for walks and doesn’t let me forget about it every lunch time and evening, giving me the motivation to get out and exercise. I began going to a local dog park, where he could socialise with other dogs, which also allowed me to socialise and make friends with their owners. I now see them daily and my much-needed socialisation during the week has returned.”
Name: Coco Sent by: Alicja Elder, payroll assistant manager, Burtons Biscuits Limited “This is my Puggle, Coco. He came to my house during the pandemic and was a life saver throughout. After 12 years of employment with the same company, I decided to make a change. Full of hope but also worry, l joined Burtons Biscuits three months prior to the first lockdown. It was supposed to be my ‘big’ year: new job, amazing holidays and turning my life around. Well, nothing went according to plan. I didn’t manage to get used to the new offices when the rules to work from home were introduced. At the same time, I lost my other dog, was coping with home schooling, felt homesick and was generally just full of anxiety. “Coco is my stress relief; he stays next to me all day long and his loud snores bring a laugh to every Zoom meeting. I always need to excuse the weird noises, confirming it’s not my stomach grumbling. Coco knows my schedule well. He makes sure I have my lunch and don’t miss the school run. He knows when I have a bad day and sits close to my laptop. All I need is a quick cuddle, and I’m ready to tackle any challenge. His presence is very calming and relaxing when I’m under pressure. “He’s helping not only me, but my whole family. Thanks to him, we walk much more, and the kids put all their attention into him. I cannot imagine our family without Coco now. I love my job at Burtons Biscuits and working from home with him by my side.”
Name: Rusty and Izzak Sent by: Kim Urry MCIPPdip, rewards manager, Europe, AAK “This is Rusty, the Patterdale Terrier and Izzak, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Izzak is the perfect home companion, being an old boy, as he’s happy as long as he’s warm and comfy nearby. Rusty, however, isn’t happy with working from home arrangements, unless he’s curled up in my lap, wrapped in a blanket!”
If you’ve submitted your payroll pet to us and they’re not included, you’ll see them in a future issue of Professional .
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | May 2023 | Issue 90 56
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