Roughly 60% of executives considering a pet-friendly policy are doing so as a direct response to employee requests or because they know workers are accustomed to having their pets nearby all day. (Photo: Shutterstock)
After spending a year with four-legged coworkers, remote employees faced with returning to the office are concerned about how the change will impact their pets, according to a survey by Banfield Pet Hospital. Almost a third of respondents said that spending more time at home has made them consider how their pets can still be part of their workday after the pandemic, with 57% saying they'd be most happy if they could bring their pets with them when they return to the office.
The good news for them is that half of C-suite executives are open to the idea and planning to allow pets in the office. More commonly, executives are considering allowing more flexibility for workers to stay remote (59%). Roughly 60% of executives considering a pet-friendly policy are doing so as a direct response to employee requests or because they know workers are accustomed to having their pets nearby all day. Forty-two percent see it as a way to entice workers back to the office.
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Workers are considering some extreme actions if their employer doesn't have a pet policy for their return to work. On one hand, half of Gen Zers and a third of millennials say they'll look for a new job if their workplace isn't pet-friendly. On the other, 20% of respondents — and a third of Gen Zers — are thinking about rehoming their pets if they can't bring them to the office. Owners' top concern was for their pets' separation anxiety, but 28% said their pets keep them calm during the workday, and 23% think they'll be more productive.
The 48% of executives who said they already had a pet-friendly policy before the pandemic cited a number of benefits.
- Over two-thirds said employees were more sociable with each other.
- 61% said employees were more willing to come to work.
- Over 40% said employees were more productive or more willing to work later.
- 31% saw an increase in employee retention.
- Almost a quarter said employees just seemed happier at work.
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