Who let the dogs in? Pet friendly offices are an in-demand benefit in the COVID era workplace

They say owning a pet can help you live longer and it’s not hard to see why. Pets lower stress levels, get you to exercise, and help shift your focus to something positive. So it’s no surprise that so many people brought home a new furry companion during the early days of COVID-19, as they worked to combat loneliness, social isolation, and the monotony of the pandemic workday.

But as life returns to pre-COVID norms, people aren’t willing to leave their pets behind. As employees become more vocal about what kind of support they expect from their employers, the post-COVID workplace may be going to the dogs (and cats, and even a bunny or two.)

Sixty-seven percent of employees surveyed by Wagmo said their pet is the main reason they are unwilling to return to the office five days a week. Fifty-six percent said they would give up their lunch break in order to bring their pets to work, 13% said they would be willing to give up their overtime pay, and 16% would be willing to sacrifice paid time off.

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“People have really started to take stock of what was truly important in their lives and pets continue to play an important role,” says Katie Blakeley, vice president and head of pet insurance at MetLife. “We’ve always treated them as members of the family, but I think in the tough times and especially the early days of the pandemic, pets really became more of a priority in our households.”

Currently, just 7% of employers allow pets in the workplace, according to data from the Society for Human Resource Management. But some companies, including Amazon, AirBnB, and PetSmart, already allow employees to bring their pets to the office and have reported positive results, like an improved company culture and increased productivity.

“Bringing pets into the office is one of the best ways to reduce the mental stress and work anxiety of your employees,” says pet behaviorist Harsh Goyal. “They remind us to take little breaks and play with them. Activities like dog walking and cuddling can make any employee feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Moreover, allowing pets at work can make a job more satisfactory and reduces employee absenteeism, which is a great sign of a healthy work environment.”

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As employers rethink the modern workplace, the majority of employees agree that five days of mandatory office time is unnecessary, especially when they consider having to leave their precious pets home alone all day. If employees do head back to work, the new normal is the perfect environment to bring a pet, Blakeley says.

“Thinking of the broader impacts of the post pandemic period, what is the workplace going to look like? I think it's a much more casual, much more familial atmosphere and of course pets are such a great fit into that,” she says. “Having dogs and cats around can just ease a lot of stress that can be associated with the workplace.”

Undoubtedly, employers might have some concerns about what it would mean to suddenly create a pet-friendly workplace, and there are steps and considerations organizations can take to make the transition smooth and reap the most rewards.

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First, determine which members of your organization have pet allergies and ask if having pets at work will be seen as too much of a distraction by some staff, says Johnna Devereaux, a clinical pet nutritionist. Once it has been decided that pets will be allowed in the workplace, employers can set ground rules, like leaving a pet home if they’re sick, improperly groomed or behaviorally challenged. Employees should also be aware that it is their responsibility to clean up after their pet and bring in their own supplies to make sure their pet is comfortable.

“Consider designating a pet-free zone by either putting up a baby gate or keeping certain doors shut, if there are spaces where pets are not either welcome or safe,” Devereaux says. “Employees shouldn’t assume that everyone else is going to dog-proof their space for your pet. Kindly remind your coworkers that you are planning to bring your dog, and would like to ensure that their property is safe. Work together to make sure their space is free of hazards and that everyone is comfortable with the plan.”

Not only will these efforts keep your employees happy, but they can be a recruiting tool, too. Seventy percent of the U.S. population owns a pet, and in-demand employee populations like millennials make up 32% of pet owners. Considering pets is a smart business decision for all.

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“Society in general is embracing pets everywhere — in restaurants, classrooms and at the office, especially, and wise employers are listening,” says Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “Companies are scrambling to hire great candidates and it turns out that creating a pet-friendly culture at work is no longer a novelty. Welcoming pets promises to help employers win the competition for talent, and the benefits don’t stop there.”