Survey shows nearly half of pet parents would consider
switching jobs if it meant they could bring their pet to
work
SAN
DIEGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As
businesses across the U.S. re-open office doors after two years of
mostly or entirely remote work – and in celebration of National
Pets at Work Day on April 19 – Petco
Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: WOOF) is advocating for
employees to continue working with pets by their side and
encouraging employers to add "pet-friendly" to their roster of
employee benefits.
Employees across the U.S. are eager to return to a normal
semblance of work life, but many are anxious about leaving some
comforts of working from home – including their pets – behind. A
survey* conducted by Petco finds that:
- 69% of pet parents are stressed about what returning to work
means for their pets;
- nearly half want their employers to adopt a pet-friendly
workplace; and,
- 41% say they would consider switching jobs if it meant they
could bring their pet to work.
"After two years of remote work, employers returning to an
in-office culture are looking for ways to make it a more positive
experience for employees," said Petco SVP, Omnichannel Experience,
Jenny Wolski. "Pet-friendly programs
can not only offer employers a competitive edge, they can also
provide many health and wellness benefits for both people and pets.
At Petco, we believe that having our pets at work leads to lower
stress, improved physical health and increased productivity for our
partners, while keeping our pets mentally and socially engaged. As
we've returned to a new hybrid in-office culture with our pets
happily in tow, we think going pet-friendly should be a no-brainer
for any employer, and Petco can help."
A pet-friendly workplace playbook and toolkit with information
and resources on policy guidelines, etiquette, how to develop
and implement an effective action plan, and more, is available to
help employers transition their workplace into a safe, healthy and
productive environment for both people and pets.
Benefits to employees when pets can accompany their parents to
the office include:
- Improved physical health: The presence of animals may
reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
- Reduced stress: Pets in the office can have a positive
change on self-reported anxiety, calmness and endocrine
responses.
- Increased productivity and creativity:
-
- Dogs encourage more breaks, which contributes to improved
morale, productivity and focus.
- Breaks often occur outside, which is linked to increased
creative ideation.
- Pet parents are less worried about pets at home without
bathroom or exercise breaks and are able to stay and enjoy office
happy hours or other activities.
Organizations that are looking to offer compelling new benefits,
but may not be ready to commit to a pet-friendly office can still
offer pet-friendly benefits like Petco Insurance or Petco's Vital
Care membership program. With the Vital Care affiliate
program, employees and customers of participating companies will
have access to exclusive membership benefits and discounts within
Vital Care's Whole Health offerings. And pet parents returning
to the office without their pets can access pet sitting, boarding
and dog walking services for dogs and cats on Rover directly from
petco.com — including a one-time $10 discount for first-time bookings – as well as
information and solutions for addressing pets' mental
health during changes in routines.
For more information on National Pets at Work Day, the benefits
of pet-friendly workplaces and key tips for employers considering
going pet-friendly, visit petco.com/petsatwork.
*Statistics from 2021 Petco consumer survey of 2,001 U.S. pet
parents.
About Petco, The Health + Wellness Co.
Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on
improving the lives of pets, pet parents and our own Petco
partners. Since our founding in 1965, we've been striving to set
new standards in pet care, delivering comprehensive wellness
solutions through our products and services, and creating
communities that deepen the pet-pet parent bond. We operate more
than 1,500 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico,
including a growing network of more than 150 in-store veterinary
hospitals, and offer a complete online resource for pet health and
wellness at petco.com and on the Petco app. In tandem with Petco
Love (formerly the Petco Foundation), an independent nonprofit
organization, we work with and support thousands of local animal
welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption
events, we've helped find homes for more than 6.5 million
animals.
Contact:
Ventura Olvera
Ventura.olvera@petco.com
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SOURCE Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.