Today, dogs are integral members of people’s families, which means workers no longer want to leave their pups behind when they go to the office. And the pandemic has only amplified this sentiment by forcing so many to work remotely, often at home with their pets by their sides.
In fact, the majority (72%) of Canadian dog owners now place even more importance on working for a dog-friendly company than they did before the pandemic. What does this mean for the future of work? Whether people are working remotely or commuting to the office, we at Rover think it’s safe to say there will be dogs—lots of dogs.
Pet Owners Want Their Dogs at Work More Than Ever
When it comes to attracting top talent, dog-friendly benefits are truly a company’s best friend. More than three-quarters (78%) of Canadian dog owners feel it’s important that the company they work for is dog friendly.
Why? Because Dogs Make Us Happy
Dog owners say the top reasons for working at a dog-friendly company include the benefits, like pet insurance, along with getting to spend more time with their pets and experiencing reduced stress and anxiety. In fact, the majority (63%) of dog owners credit working alongside their dogs for improved mental health and wellness.
Woof From Home or Paws at the Office?
Whether a company offers perks for work-from-home pups or benefits for canine colleagues that come into the office, 51% of dog owners agree that companies with dog-friendly cultures and perks care more about their employees.
And according to 44% of Canadian pet parents, the biggest reason dog owners want to bring their dogs to work is that they don’t want to leave their pups alone all day. They also value the mental health benefits dogs provide and the opportunity to give their dogs more social interaction, especially after spending so much time isolated at home due to the pandemic.
Benefits Tug-of-War
Workers are so loyal to their pups that they’d be willing to give up quite a lot to continue working with their pets by their sides.
- A quarter of Canadian dog owners claim they would definitely leave their current job if the company suddenly removed dog-friendly perks.
- Another 28% would consider looking for another job in the same scenario.
This means that over half of Canadian dog owners would think about leaving their jobs if dog-friendly benefits were taken away.
Give a Dog a Bone?
But some are willing to compromise: 41% of pet parents would compromise on salary for robust dog-friendly benefits like a pet insurance stipend, free dog walking, and days off for pet bereavement. Around a third (34%) would give up free coffee and snacks in the office to have a dog-friendly culture. People working remotely also indicated that they would be more inclined to return to the office if dogs were allowed.
Companies Doing Dog-Friendly Benefits Right
These companies see the value of making their employees happier by fostering dog-friendly cultures and offering benefits that get tails wagging.
Procore Technologies, Carpinteria
Perks: Pet insurance, pet-focused Slack channel, dog-friendly happy hours, quarterly pet care stipend
Not only are dogs allowed in Procore Technologies’ office, the company supports pet parents by helping to partially cover health insurance for their pet. To enable a dog-friendly culture, even from home, Procore has a “furry friends” Slack channel where employees share pictures and videos of their pets. Procore Technologies offers all employees a quarterly “Procore Perks” stipend, which can be used for pet care during work hours and pet boarding during business travel.
Rogers Insurance Ltd., Calgary
Perks: Dog-friendly meetings, pet bereavement leave
The Rogers Insurance Calgary office became dog-friendly to help boost productivity and morale. To continue to create the best workplace, Calgary staff are encouraged to bring their pups to work with them. Their office even has a section known as the “Chihuahua Corner,” in tribute to the many employees with Chihuahuas. While the company doesn’t have a policy specific to pet bereavement, employees have been able to take time off after the passing of their pet in the past.
Fuelled, Calgary
Perks: Dog-friendly office with beds, toys, and free treats and pet food
Fuelled supports employees in bringing their dog with them when they’re in the office. They admit that though sometimes distracting, ultimately having dogs working alongside their employees helps the energy in the office and helps people feel good while working. In the Fuelled office you can find dog beds, free treats, pet food and water bowls, and other pet-specific amenities.
War Room Inc, Vancouver
Perks: Dog-friendly happy hours and office with beds, toys, and free treats
War Room’s Vancouver office is dog-friendly and has free treats, dog bowls and pet beds. The company has held dog-friendly events and happy hours in the past and plans to do so again when people meet in person more regularly. War Room has been a dog-friendly company for years and claims it’s helped recruit great talent and retain its beloved employees.
Finaeo Inc., Toronto
Perks: Dog-friendly office
Finaeo Inc has a small but mighty team with an impressive dog-friendly culture. Prior to Covid, there were typically several dogs in the Toronto office daily. Finaeo claims they became a dog-friendly company for the convenience of their employees, knowing that their preference is to not leave pets at home alone all day.
Dogs at Work Are Here to Stay
Even with so many changes in the world of work over the past couple of years, pet parents and companies are continually finding ways to stay connected and maintain pet-friendly work cultures—even remotely!
Canadian workers say the top three ways their companies are maintaining pet-friendly cultures include:
Pet cameos on video calls. 33% of Canadian pet parents say pets have helped them connect with their colleagues virtually by nosing up to the camera during meetings.
Meeting colleagues’ dogs virtually. 32% of dog owners say getting to know new dogs on video calls helps reinforce a dog-friendly culture.
Sharing pet pics and videos. Another 32% of dog parents say getting to share photos and videos of their pets with colleagues is another way they stay connected.
But most importantly: For dog parents lucky enough to work for a pet-friendly company, more than half (53%) believe their employer sees their dogs as members of their families. We couldn’t agree with that sentiment more and can’t wait to see how dog-friendly work cultures continue to evolve.
Enter your dog-friendly company
Methodology
More like this
Best Dog-Friendly Companies in the US
Best Dog-Friendly Companies in the UK
Interested in learning more about Rover’s services?
Dog Boarding | Pet Sitting | Dog Walking | Doggy Day Care | House Sitting
