And finally…Brewdog introduces paw-ternity leave

Aberdeenshire-based craft beer company BrewDog are giving their almost 1,000 employees around the world one week’s paid leave in the event of a new puppy comes into their lives.

Founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie (and the company’s mascot, labrador Bracken), BrewDog has 50 bars worldwide with a new American brewery soon to open in Columbus, Ohio following the crowdfunding pioneer’s latest multi-million pound capital raising campaign.

The company’s headquarters in Ellon already regularly sees staff accompanied to work by their dogs but the new support for new dog owners will now be company policy, the firm said.

“It’s not easy trying to juggle work and settle a new dog into your life, and many members of our crew have four-legged friends at home,” said Mr Watt. “So we wanted to take the stress out of the situation and let our teams take the time they need to welcome their new puppy or dog into their family.”

BrewDog revealed details of the new benefit ― dubbed “pawternity” or “mutternity” leave ― on its website and said it was part of its plan to “be the best company to work for, ever.”

“We’re not aware of any other American company giving a week’s leave to their staff to help build the bond between them and their dog ― but then few other companies have four-legged friends at their center as we do,” the statement read.