The advantages of extending pet-related benefits to your employees cannot be overstated. I interviewed eight business leaders to gather their insights on why supporting employees with pet-friendly policies can positively impact their organizations.
Many companies ask: why offer pet-related benefits as part of employee perks?
To answer this, we asked company executives to share their thoughts. From reducing absenteeism to enhancing productivity, there are several compelling reasons to include pet-related policies in employee benefit packages.
Here are eight advantages to adding pet-friendly policies to your employee benefits:
Limit Absenteeism
Love it or loathe it, for many people, a pet emergency means asking for leave to attend to the situation. This can be time-consuming and stressful. By offering flexible policies, such as pet leave or support during emergencies, employers can help reduce absenteeism and alleviate the burden on employees.
Leverage as a Recruiting Tool
Employers have noticed that offering pet-related benefits helps relieve stress among employees, which boosts productivity and happiness. These benefits are also a powerful recruiting and retention strategy. With organizations competing for talent, pet-friendly policies can set your business apart, especially for younger employees, such as Millennials and Gen Z, who value working for pet-friendly companies.
Caroline Lee, CocoSign
Promote Pet Adoption
At a small start-up, we saw a positive reaction when we introduced pet benefits. Two employees decided to adopt kittens after years of hesitation due to concerns about the unpredictable costs of pet care. The added security of knowing their pets were supported made them more comfortable with the decision, ultimately boosting morale in the company.
Pet Health as Employee Stress Relief
Many employers have observed a decline in stress among pet owners. Having pets has been linked to improved well-being, and offering pet-friendly benefits supports this. Whether it’s bringing pets to work or supporting pet-related expenses, these policies can contribute to a less stressful environment for employees.
Sayla Sabrin, Founder, Vivipins
Adapting to the Remote Work Environment
With the shift to remote work, organizations should consider how to adapt their benefits to reflect the changing work landscape. Pets are often considered part of the family and, in remote work setups, are humorously referred to as “coworkers.” Offering benefits that support pet owners can help meet the evolving needs of employees working from home.
Improve Retention Rates
Providing employees with pet-friendly perks is a great way to improve retention. If employees feel that their pets are supported and that no other employers offer similar benefits, they are more likely to stay with your company.
Increase Productivity
Supporting employees with pet-friendly policies leads to increased productivity. As surprising as it may sound, employees who feel their pets are well taken care of tend to be less stressed and more focused, resulting in higher productivity levels. By de-stressing employees, companies can enhance overall workplace performance.
