Why Being Pet-Friendly Is Important for Your Workplace

With 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats in US homes, it’s not surprising that employees overwhelmingly request voluntary benefits like pet health insurance which can help buffer high vet bills. A recent survey found that 44% of Millennials considered their pets as “starter children” while Empty Nesters consider pets as part of their family too, so a company offering pet-friendly benefits is perceived not only to be compassionate and innovative, but more modern as well. And those are attractive qualities when hiring and retaining talent.

Why Make Your Workplace Pet-Friendly?

Did you know that pets make the workplace more productive and collaborative? By bringing pets into the office, staff report lower work-day stress levels, more collaboration and positive employee interactions. In one study from Central Michigan University, the psychology department analyzed behavior with companion animals in three scenarios, determining: (1) groups with a dog present displayed more verbal consistency and cooperation; (2) working alongside a dog meant higher levels of trustworthiness to fellow group members; and (3) behavior in dog-present groups was rated as more supportive, comfortable, enthusiastic and attentive.

Additionally, research shows that pets help improve both physical and mental health in their humans, and that includes those in the office. When around pets, people are more likely to have healthier hearts due to lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, and a better sense of well-being due to less anxiety, stress, and depression. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), pets save the healthcare industry $11.7 billion annually. But let’s face it — feeling healthy and having a happier outlook make for a great environment at work.

Companies That Are Already Pet-Friendly

Many companies have embraced bringing pets to work full-time. Google has a group called “Dooglers” and a dog-themed café on the home campus; Build-A-Bear celebrates employee dog-birthdays (and has a canine concierge service that takes dogs to a day camp and spa!). Designated areas include Chartbeat’s “Puppytorium,” the preferred pup lounge area, and Zynga has a dog park on their roof, while Salesforce’s Puppyforce includes a special soundproof room full of bowls, padded crates, dog beds — and, of course, cleanup accessories. Even Procter & Gamble’s got puppy love; in 2012, they sent out a press release announcing the retirement of Euka, VP of Canine Communications, proving that even big companies take our furry friends seriously and know that pet-friendly policies draw in, and ultimately retain, employees.

Two Ways to Create Pet-Friendly Benefits

Getting pet perks into the office can seem like a challenge, but we’ve got the easiest ways to be pet-friendly (whether pets are allowed in-office or not):

The Ultimate Package

• Pet-Friendly Workplace (with all the extra special details up to the company!)
• “Pawternity” Leave (for new puppy or kitten adoptions; see BrewDog’s policy)
• Voluntary Pet Health Insurance (directly billed to employees)
• Pet Service Benefits that include Pet Sitting and Walking (such as Rover.com’s Pet PTO)

The Doesn’t-Cost-Businesses-Anything-in-Time-or-Money Package

• Voluntary Pet Health Insurance (again, directly billed to employees)
• Pet Service Benefits that include Pet Sitting and Walking (such as Rover.com’s Pet PTO)

The most popular request and fastest growing benefit is employee discounts on pet health insurance (source: NAPHIA). And it may also be one of the easiest benefits to offer: there is no cost to the employer and it is directly billed to employees. This means no payroll deductions, no special administrative overhead, and no tedious integrations to worry about. Employers can sign up online and literally be offering it to their employees within days. It’s that simple. Start by visiting the Healthy Paws Employee Benefits page.

Content provided by Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Policies are underwritten and issued by ACE American Insurance Company, Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Atlantic Employers Insurance Company, members of the Chubb Group.