keeping a domestic animal beyond its useful life
Used for pets or livestock that are kept alive but no longer serve their original purpose (e.g., a retired working dog or an old dairy cow). Often implies a sense of wasted resources or pity.
It's pitiful to keep an old dog alive without any purpose.
On the farm, they keep a cow that no longer gives milk just alive.
keeping an employee on the payroll without utilizing their skills
Refers to a situation where a company retains a worker but gives them little or no meaningful work, often to avoid layoffs or due to seniority. Can imply deadwood or a wasteful practice.
That company was criticized for keeping incompetent employees on the payroll without using them.
Employees in a deadwood situation lose their motivation.