Bringing your pet to work has evolved from a special event that takes place once a year, to a perk many employees enjoy every day. In fact, more and more companies are welcoming their workers’ four-legged friends in the workplace because they find it helps recruit talent. This week, pet care company Mars Petcare officially opened its new North American headquarters in Franklin, TN, dubbed the “Pet Friendly Workplace of the Future.”
The new office fosters a collaborative working environment for employees and their fuzzy friends, including:
- Wi-fi enabled dog park with seating areas and room to run so people and pets can work and play together
- Two indoor dog play areas, staffed by a “pack leader” and full-time “pet sitters” so employees who have a busy day can still bring their pets
- Coffee bars on every floor that also have automated “slurp stations” for pets so that everyone can enjoy break time together.
- Custom pet bed and toy storage space throughout the office
- Wider furniture with pet-friendly fabric, including sofas and ottomans, so employees can lounge with their furry friends
- More than 60 acres of outdoor green space and walking paths – all designed with pet-friendly landscaping
The new corporate headquarters reflects Mars Petcare’s mission of A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™ and was designed to serve as an example for other business leaders across the country to introduce pet-friendly polices at their own workplaces.
“We’ve welcomed pets into our offices for years. We know that they reduce stress and increase our collaboration and productivity at work,” said Mark Johnson, President of Mars Petcare North America. “And, pets are great for talent recruitment. We know that a majority of candidates would always choose a pet-friendly employer over one who is not. The bottom line is that being a pet-friendly workplace is great for our Associates, it’s great for our pets, and it’s great for our business.”
The Perks Of Pets
Pets make great co-workers. When they are welcomed in the workplace, surveys have shown pets boost morale by contributing to lower stress levels and increased collaboration among employees. They can even make a job more satisfying.
Indeed, people thrive in pet-friendly environments, and more importantly, they intentionally search for them. When Mars Petcare surveyed business leaders and their employees across the United States about pets at work, 87 percent said being dog-friendly helps them attract and retain more talent. In addition, nearly 60 percent of employees said they’d choose a dog-friendly employer over one who’s not.
“When you welcome pets to the workplace, everyone wins – they make going to work more enjoyable, and it means our pets spend less time alone at home,” said Dave Bradey, Vice President of People & Organization at Mars Petcare. “Since pets naturally help us socialize, there is no better way to meet new colleagues, which in turn leads to improved communication. It’s no wonder pet-friendly workplaces are an important perk for job seekers”
The “Pet-Friendly Workplace of the Future” is the latest initiative from Mars Petcare to promote the benefits of pet companionship and encourage pet-friendly policies – whether in the workplace or the community. Mars Petcare created the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program to inspire business leaders and municipalities to enact pet-friendly polices by providing easily accessible resources featuring best practices as well as industry research on the benefits pets have on humans. The BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ certification program honors municipalities already advocating for fewer pets in shelters, more pet-friendly places, and increased housing options for people with pets.
In addition to its new headquarters, Mars Petcare’s hometown of Franklin is home to almost 100 pet-friendly shops and restaurants in the downtown area alone. Throughout the community, BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ window clings identifying pet-friendly businesses and restaurants, as well as easily accessible pet water bowls and pet waste stations, all intended to make it easier for visitors and residents to be there with their pets.
