17
June
2019
|
09:28 AM
America/New_York

Pet friendly companies are more likely to attract, engage and retain employees

With National Take Your Dog to Work Day® slated for its 21st annual renewal on June 21, many companies will offer employees the opportunity to bring their furry-four legged friends to the office. In fact, the number of employers that offer pet friendly benefits is on the rise. According to Nationwide, the first and largest provider of pet health insurance in the U.S., half of the Fortune 500 and more than 7,500 U.S. companies offer its pet health insurance as a voluntary employee benefit, and a recent study indicates the importance of pet friendly perks to employees.

Nationwide recently partnered with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), to identify the benefits of employers that offer pet friendly workplace perks.

The study revealed that more than three times as many employees at pet friendly workplaces report a positive working relationship with their boss and co-workers, significantly more than those in non-pet friendly environments. Moreover, these employees are more likely to stay with a company long term.

Additionally, 90 percent of employees in pet friendly workplaces feel highly connected to their company’s mission; fully engaged with their work; and willing to recommend their employer to others. In contrast, less than 65 percent of employees in non-pet friendly workplaces made the same claims.

When viewed across generations, millennials, the largest generation in the U.S. workforce, are far more likely than their Generation X and baby boomer counterparts to value a pet friendly work environment.

Below are key findings from the Nationwide/HABRI pet friendly workplace effectiveness study:

A pet friendly workplace is defined in the study as one that allows pets in the workplace (regularly or occasionally) and/or offers a pet friendly employee benefit, such as pet health insurance.

Employee Respondents: 2,002 U.S. full-time employees who spend a majority of their time working in an office environment with businesses that have 100+ employees Work in Pet Friendly Workplace Work in Non- Pet Friendly Workplace
Engagement
  • Feel fully engaged with their work
  • Feel their work is rewarding and exciting
  

91% 

83%

  

65% 

46%
Attraction
  • Would recommend their place of employment to other
  

88%

  

51%
Retention
  • Plan to stay at the company for next 12 months
  • Would decline a job offer with another company at similar pay
  • Feels the company supports their physical health and wellness
  • Feels the company supports their mental well-being
  

88% 

72% 

91% 

89%

  

73% 

44% 

59% 

53%
Relationships
  • Report a positive working relationship with their supervisor
  • Report a positive working relationship with co-workers
  

52% 

53%

  

14% 

19%
Presenteeism
  • Rarely miss a day of work for well-being and/or recuperation
  

85%

  

77%

“The results of the Nationwide/HABRI study clearly indicate a significantly higher level of engagement among employees that work in pet friendly environments,” said Anthony Sharett, president of Nationwide’s pet insurance business. “In consideration that millennials are both the largest generation in the U.S. workforce and the largest generation of pet owners, it is paramount that employers consider adding pet friendly perks such as allowing pets in the workplace or offering pet health insurance as a voluntary employee benefit.”

Does your company offer Nationwide pet insurance as an employee perk? Check here to find out.