Pets are an integral and much-loved part of millions of households. As our companions and family members, they bring joy, comfort and a sense of wellbeing. As more organizations transition their workforce back to the office, it’s no surprise that more people than ever want to bring their pets to work. At Mars, we believe pets make the world a better place, and that belief extends right into our office spaces.
For over 15 years, Mars has been leading the pack in creating pet-friendly workplaces, supported by our office wide “Petiquette Policy.” Here, pets aren’t just welcome – they’re a fundamental part of our culture. In some of our larger offices, we even have dog-walking routes, playgrounds and dog-friendly meeting rooms.
Why welcome pets at work?
Through our industry-leading research at Waltham Petcare Science Institute(Opens a new window) and collaboration with academic partners, we are committed to better understanding the benefits pets bring to humans.
A study by CESAR®1, a part of the Mars family of brands, found more than nine in 10 dog owners that have brought their dog to work say their pet’s presence greatly improves their employee experience, including their enjoyment and happiness, overall sense of wellbeing and attitude toward attending the office in person.
Interacting with pets at work has also been shown to improve productivity, reduce workplace stress, keep us active and increase social interaction. A growing body of research indicates that pets can significantly benefit our mental health. They help reduce depression, alleviate feelings of loneliness and social isolation, and mitigate stress and anxiety. It’s therefore no surprise that pet-friendly benefits contribute to successfully attracting, retaining and motivating talent.
The benefits extend to pets as well – especially dogs, which are social animals that thrive on interaction and companionship. Being in the office with their owners allows them to enjoy constant companionship, reducing feelings of loneliness or anxiety that they may experience when left alone at home or with a stranger. Pets that accompany their owners to work often have more opportunities for exercise, such as walks during breaks, and there is a rarely a shortage of co-workers offering to help if the day is busy!
Join the movement: make your workplace pet friendly
Mars is committed to helping other businesses create pet-friendly environments. We’ve made our Pets Work at Work toolkit open-source, providing how-to's and best practices to make your workplace pet friendly. The toolkit includes information on the benefits of pet-friendly workplaces, leadership and legal considerations, tips for communicating the program to employees, and much more.
As we celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day, we invite businesses everywhere to join us in making the workplace a more welcoming place for our furry friends all year round.
Together, we can create happier, healthier work environments for people and pets alike.
- For tips and resources on how to make #PetsWorkatWork at your workplace, check out our toolkit along with wider resources(Opens a new window). The toolkit includes leadership and legal considerations, tips for communicating the program to employees, and much more. The program also provides a toolkit for businesses like stores, events and restaurants aiming to go pet friendly.
- Visit the Waltham Petcare Science Institute to check out our latest research into the benefits of human animal interaction(Opens a new window), at work and beyond.
1 2023 CESAR study: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cesar-brand-launches-workplace-grants-to-help-businesses-go-dog-friendly-301846130.html (Opens a new window)
