"A court in Barcelona has ruled that a worker's absence from her job to take her critically ill dog to be euthanised was justified on humane grounds, overturning her dismissal and highlighting evolving legal recognition of the bond between people and their companion animals. The Social Court No. 25 of Barcelona declared the disciplinary dismissal of a teleoperator improper after she missed several days of work, including one absence specifically to attend to her dog's urgent medical needs."
"One of the absences, on November 24, occurred after the employee was alerted by her veterinarian that her dog was in critical condition and required immediate attention. The night before, the dog had been seen for severe symptoms and was scheduled to be examined again on November 30. However, the animal's condition deteriorated suddenly, prompting the urgent call for the worker to bring the dog in for euthanasia."
Social Court No. 25 of Barcelona ruled a teleoperator's disciplinary dismissal improper after she missed several workdays, including an absence to take her critically ill dog for euthanasia. The employee had worked for Majorel SP Solutions S.A.U. since March 2023 and was dismissed in January 2025 after the company alleged four unexplained absences under the collective labour agreement. The court acknowledged no statutory leave covered urgent veterinary care but accepted humanitarian, ethical and moral reasons justified prioritising the animal's welfare. The ruling orders reinstatement or payment of €4,116.42 as indemnity for wrongful termination.
Read at Euro Weekly News
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