Majority of workers would quit their job for their dog
Humans’ relationship with dogs has always been a working one – and not just on farms or in forests. A new survey of European workers suggests half would consider exiting their job, if their dogs were barred from the office.
The symbiosis between humans and dogs goes back at least 40,000 years. It’s likely that dogs then began following humans during the hunt because they knew there would be free food – but when humans realised dogs could help to catch more prey, an alliance blossomed that would stand the test of time.
Even so, until recently, there were only a few specialised workplaces you might expect to find ‘man’s best friend’. But like so much of working life, the pandemic looks to have changed that. During the Covid-19 lockdown months, Forbes Advisor found that 78% of pet owners adopted additional animals during the pandemic. In Britain, UK Pet Food estimated that more than 3 million households adopted a dog specifically – bringing the national tally to around 36% of households.
Amid the intense lockdown months, the bond between some dog guardians and their pets became closer than ever before. The famous Battersea animal shelter found that a 58% majority of dogs were not left alone for any period of time, up from 15% before lockdown. And in the years that followed – where employers struggled for ways to entice their staff back into more regular office hours, while looking to avoid losing talent amid a tightening labour market – it subsequently became more common to factor pets into the equation.
Illustrating this, a new survey by Mars has polled 16,000 workers in Europe, to find that more than a third now prioritise pet-friendly policies over traditional workplace perks and other benefits. Pet-friendly workplaces are no longer a “nice-to-have” for Europeans, but an expectation, with 55% considering switching jobs if it meant they could bring their pets to work. That figure sits at 53% in the UK, and 56% in Ireland.
Paolo Rigamonti, regional president for Europe at Mars Pet Nutrition, said, “Now, new data from our Pet Friendly Advantage Report makes the case even clearer: pet-friendly workplaces support wellbeing, strengthen culture and are increasingly important for attracting and retaining talent.”
Generational shift
With dogs needing care and attention – and many workers having leant on four-legged-friends for support in the isolation of the pandemic – 37% of workers surveyed said they would prioritise pet-friendly policies over personal benefits such as employee discount schemes, cycle-to-work schemes, free snacks, or after-work socials. But as well as the pandemic, this is also driven by a generational shift, according to the researchers.
Gen Z and Millennials are big influences here. Around 41% of 18–24-year-olds actively look for pet friendly policies when job hunting, almost double the rate of workers over 55, at 24%. And 42% prioritise these over enhanced personal benefits, compared to 25% of those over 55.
Pet policies signal a company cares – but employees struggle to find if they’re offered
Amid a period where employees are often under pressure – leading to mounting mental health issues – this there is also a clear business case for employers for investing in pet-friendly workplaces. Half of European workers feel that companies with pet friendly policies are more supportive of employees transitioning to officed-based working, and 33% say a formal well managed ‘pets in the office’ policy signals the company cares about employee wellbeing.
Matt Burney, senior strategic advisor at jobs site Indeed, added, "Pet-friendly offices reflect growing expectations around flexibility and work-life balance. As employees juggle responsibilities at home and at work, organisations that create workplaces people want to be part of often see stronger retention and morale. Allowing pets in the workplace can be a simple but effective way to enhance the employee experience.
