Pets are changing the workplace—and how the pet parents working there feel about it. The role of pet parenthood is impacting generational preferences and potential hiring practices. What you care about as an employee, and how businesses respond to that need, can have a big effect on companies and their workplace culture.
Our research team recently published new data that explores the motivations behind changing workplace dynamics brought on by younger workers. We found that changing perceptions about the role of companion animals in the workplace and the overall role of pet ownership in young peoples’ lives could impact important hiring metrics for employers in the years to come.
Younger employees—members of the millennial (born 1981 to 1996) and Gen Z (born 1997 to 2012) cohorts—value flexibility in the workplace. They value their lifestyle and their time, and that trend is seeping into the workplace. One of the ways that is apparent is the role of pets in their personal and professional lives.
As a cohort, millennials and Gen Z tend to see their pets more like children than previous generations—many researchers suggest that pets are seen more like “starter children” among young adults. This change in emotional connection has led to the widespread proliferation of pet-friendly spaces—cafes, parks, vacation spots, and yes, offices.
At the same time, the lifestyle of white-collar millennials and Gen Z emphasizes flexibility and work life balance, especially in the post-COVID lockdown years. Young employees wish to preserve some of the flexibility of their work-from-home lives in their office day to day. Pets are an important part of that.
Benefits that help support their lifestyle—robust parenting leave, incentives for creativity and voluntary benefits like pet insurance—move the needle for this kind of leading talent.
Pets play an important role in the workplace lifestyle equation. It’s why more companies are offering pet insurance, and it’s helping—pet parents who opt in for pet insurance as a voluntary benefit tend to be more into their jobs.
What’s behind the connection between being offered pet insurance and being engaged with work? On one level, it comes down to financial security. Unexpected veterinary bills are an acute stressor, which can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
Another is the unique relationship of support and companionship that millennials and Gen Z workers have with their pets. Pets are a source of comfort for many younger workers, and knowing their pets are protected improves their outlook.
It’s no surprise that more companies than ever are helping to foster that connection for their employees by adding pet insurance to their voluntary benefits packages.
Check if your company offers employee-exclusive pet insurance plans at PetsNationwide.com.