Pet-friendly workplace rituals: How businesses will adapt to a post-pandemic world
At Banfield, we’ve long recognized that pets, people, and society are all connected. One year into the pandemic, our pets continue to be by our sides through it all. They provide companionship and comfort when we need it most. I certainly feel this when I spend time with my cats, Ashin and Kenji. They bring me tremendous joy, show me love, and seeing their antics always makes me smile. I know others feel it too. Studies show pet ownership can have positive benefits on our mental wellbeing – helping to alleviate everything from anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress. The human-animal bond has never been stronger.
The year of the pet
Data shows more than 11 million households welcomed a new pet last year, with Banfield's recent survey revealing 1 in 2 Gen Zers and 1 in 3 millennials got a pandemic dog or cat. Animal shelters across the country reported an outpouring of community support at the height of COVID and were emptying at faster rates than ever before. Banfield had approximately half a million more pet visits in 2020 than the year prior. It has truly been the year of the pet.
People aren’t just owning pets at higher rates; they’re also approaching relationships with their pets differently. In fact, 80% of surveyed owners say they were able to bond with their pet more during this time. This increased connection has people wondering – and worrying – about what post-pandemic life may look like for them and their pets.
Proactive pet owners
While many of us will miss our dogs or cats as desk mates, our survey found that one of the biggest worries is the fear of pets experiencing separation anxiety. The good news is, 1 in 3 owners are already reaching out to their veterinarians for advice on making the transition back to the office easier on their pets. As the leading provider of preventive care in the U.S., it’s encouraging to see that owners are being proactive in getting support.
Pet-friendly workplaces
As employees prepare for post-pandemic pet ownership, many business leaders are recognizing the benefits of a pet-friendly workspace. One in 2 C-suite executives surveyed are planning to allow pets in the workplace upon return to the office. Further, 59% say they’ll allow more flexibility for workers wanting to stay remote with their pets. This pet-friendly stance is likely influenced by the majority of executives surveyed believing being a pet owner has made them a better, more compassionate business leader. I couldn’t agree more.
Pet-friendly policies: where to start
We asked employers who had pet-friendly policies before the pandemic what kind of benefits they saw, and they cited everything from employees seeming happier to increased retention. Banfield’s headquarters are pet-friendly. I can tell you from experience that there’s nothing better than seeing wagging tails in the hallways and pets in meetings.
If you’re an employer considering implementing a pet-friendly policy, there are resources to help you get started, including this Pets Work at Work™ Toolkit from Mars Petcare's Better Cities For Pets™. Some questions you’ll want to answer for your organization include:
Which types of pets will you allow?
How often will you allow pets, i.e., every day or certain days of the week?
Which pet amenities are most important?
What rules are most important to pet owners and non-pet owners?
Culture is my top priority, so above all else my advice is to really listen to your people and ensure you are meeting their needs. This might just include pets!
Pets truly make our lives better. I’m excited and encouraged that more people are appreciating the positive impact pets can have on our daily lives.
