Pet benefits being a motivating employment factor was especially true among younger consumers, with 49% of Gen Z and 45% of Millennial respondents saying they would be motivated to stay with a company that offers pet benefits or leave for one that does. (Credit: Justyna/Adobe Stock) Nearly half of Gen Z respondents (49%) and 45% of millennials say they would be motivated to stay with a company that offers pet benefits or leave for one that does. (Credit: Justyna/Adobe Stock)

"The Great Resignation" is a phrase we've seen in the news a lot lately in regard to the worker shortage employers in the U.S. are currently seeing. In order to combat these shortages and stand out amongst a plethora of companies vying for top talent, many are introducing unique perks for their employees. According to a Nationwide survey, pet benefits are one such perk that could help a business shine amongst their competitors.

According to Nationwide, 70% of surveyed employees stated their employer does not currently offer pet-related benefits, and 30% said having pet benefits would convince them to stay with their current company or leave for a company that does offer them.

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Pet benefits being a motivating employment factor was especially true amongst younger consumers, with 49% of Gen Z and 45% of millennial respondents saying they would be motivated to stay with a company that offers pet benefits or leave for one that does.

When it comes to the type of voluntary pet-related benefits employees want, they expressed interest in several different offerings: 40% told Nationwide they would like to have pet insurance available; 29% would like paid time off to care for a pet; 27% would like a pet-friendly office; and 14% would like their employer to offer "paw-ternity" leave to take care of a new pet.

"Through research with our friends from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, we've learned that when pet benefits are offered at work, pet owners feel appreciated and satisfied with their employers," Jules Benson, Nationwide's Chief Veterinary Officer, said in a press release. "It's a perk that employers should consider."

You can view Nationwide's full survey report here.

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Brittney Meredith-Miller

Brittney Meredith-Miller is assistant editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. She can be reached at [email protected].