When you think of desirable employment benefits, what are some of the perks that come to mind? Health insurance, paid leave, retirement plans or matching 401K funds, or flexible scheduling are all common answers to that question. However in this day and age, there are many more unique ways to reward employees for their hard work, create a positive work environment and foster high morale, and thus, retain a skilled workforce in a highly competitive economy.
In light of the fact that many families include both humans and animals, one employee benefit welcomed and often requested by many is the ability to bring their pets to work. Whether it’s a scheduled bring your pet to work day, an invitation one day a week/month for pets to visit, or just an open door policy whenever you need to bring your “furry children” in for the day, any business’s employees will very likely consider it to be a wonderful benefit extended to them.
At the Strictly Business office, we have a policy in place that our staff are free to bring their pets in whenever they choose, no matter when or for how long. This has not only been a great way to get better acquainted with the pets that mean the most to our fellow co-workers, along with breaks for some fun playtime action or a few much needed snuggles to melt stress away, but it has also been incredibly valuable in certain situations. As one prime example, Amanda, our editor, has a sweet senior dog named Starr who has been her loyal sidekick for 12 years and counting. As she is an elderly lady and also diabetic, Starr has recently had some health issues and one morning on our deadline she wasn’t feeling very well. Amanda bundled her up in blankets and brought her in to the office without any hesitation. She was incredibly grateful to be able to care for her sick furbaby and make sure she was staying hydrated and comfortable while getting everything handled with the magazine and our clients. Instead of worrying all day long or staying home, she continued to be productive but also was able to have peace of mind as Starr was sleeping soundly right next to her for most of the day.
While there are many standard benefits your business could offer, welcoming pets is an example of a somewhat non-traditional benefit that is being embraced by more contemporary workplaces. Considering the numerous ways that being around pets can benefit your workplace, as well as the great importance of pets to their owners, it’s definitely a win-win for everyone involved!
Do you have a pet in your workplace or pets that come to visit your place of business?
To find out more about being featured in our Pets in the Workplace story, please call (402) 466-3330 or email Amanda@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com.
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