Georgie Murray, a communications & PR manager, wrote that she has endured four weeks of “sleepless nights, cleaning up messes and running around after pup whilst trying to hold down a full-time job.

“I would have loved a couple of weeks off, or even just a few days to catch up on sleep to be able to do my job to the best of my abilities and settle my new family member in.”

Sarah Stoughton, an account manager, offered another perspective on the debate.

“Some people are not fortunate enough to be able to have children and having a dog is their fur baby and new addition to the family. Puppies also need love and support in their early days just like a baby,” she said.

“If taking a few weeks for Pupternity/Pawternity is something that is going to help that person mentally to then be more productive moving forward then surely this can only be a good thing?”