Why Embracing Pet-Friendly Policies Promotes a Positive Work Culture

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Over the past three years, companies have been far more focused on overall employee well-being due to the burnout crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic. More than 40% of knowledge workers or those who can work remotely, feel overworked and stressed at work. At the same time, many employees worked from home for the first time in their careers and benefitted from being closer to their families, having freedom and flexibility, and saving time and money on commuting. Now, as more companies are mandating at least part-time office attendance, employees want a similar experience at the office as they’re used to at home. Employees desire consistency so there’s no disruption in the environment that supports their work efforts. 

In reaction to both the well-being burnout crisis, and new workplace norms and preferences, companies have created programs and policies to support their employees. In fact, 87% of companies now have a well-being initiative in place. I predict that in the next few years, every company will be offering well-being benefits to both compete for talent and retain employees. Furthermore, there is a heightened focus on corporate social responsibility, and organizations are expected to demonstrate their commitment to ethical and responsible practices, which include caring for their employees' happiness, health, welfare, and comfort. Caring about employee well-being is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision for companies to thrive in today's competitive landscape. Companies that incorporate well-being into their workplace culture have healthier employees that work harder and stay longer.

Employee well-being typically exists as part of an employer’s employee assistance program (EAP). EAPs offer a range of benefits and services to support employees in various aspects of their lives. The most common are counseling services, crisis intervention, work-life balance, financial and legal guidance, and, of course, well-being programs and resources. These offerings have expanded even more because of the disruption the pandemic had on workers' lives. 

One of the modern and popular additions to EAPs are dog-friendly policies and pet insurance, especially with so many employees welcoming dogs into their families for companionship and therapeutic reasons during the pandemic. A WTW study found that pet insurance is one of the five fastest-growing benefits with almost half of employers currently offering it. And, a separate survey discovered that 78% of remote workers would go back to the office, and stay with their companies if they were allowed to bring their pets to work. Think about it, if you’re used to petting your dog before a Zoom meeting for ‘good luck’, what are you supposed to do at a corporate office without that same ritual?

There are a lot of reasons why more employers need to get on the pet train now, but most importantly it may create a more positive work culture. In fact, according to a new survey[1] conducted by the CESAR brand (#CESARpartner), more than 70% of employee dog owners in dog-friendly offices report higher levels of satisfaction with their office environment, and 96% of dog-owning employees say bringing their dog to the office impacts their enjoyment of being in the office. Employees and employers alike largely hold positive associations with the culture of a company that allows dogs in the office, citing words like “welcoming,” “happy,” “fun,” and “flexible” most often.

[1] Mars Petcare partnered with Weber Shandwick and KRC Research to inform the Cesar Purpose at Work 2.0 Program study. KRC Research conducted an online survey among a sample of n=1500 US office workers and n=300 employers. All office workers had to work in person on average at least 2 days a week. The survey was conducted from May 2 to May 9, 2023.

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