Flexibility reigns supreme to pet owners who have struggled to get to veterinary care because of work obligations.
By Gillian Manning
Pandemic pets were a major part of the news cycle—particularly as new owners were faced with return-to-office initiatives as the COVID-19 quarantine period came to a close. Many American workers made tough calls regarding their pet ownership and whether their work culture meshed well with it—and that’s still very much the case, according to a survey from the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center of Marin.
Of the 1,005 surveyed American pet owners, more than 1 in 5 said they would quit their job over a full return-to-office mandate, at least partly because of their pet. Similarly, employees who know their organizations respect their pet ownership are more loyal, with 44% of pet owners saying that employer-sponsored pet insurance would make them more loyal to their company.
Pet owners also deeply value flexibility from their employers when it comes to ability to access pet healthcare, with more than half indicating that their employer’s flexibility regarding pet care is very important or even a deal breaker, as 21% said that a lack of flexibility has previously had a direct effect on their pet’s veterinary care. Thirty-eight percent also said flexible scheduling for pet care needs would increase their company loyalty, and 38% said the same about paid time off for pet bereavement or emergencies.
“The findings suggest that access to time, care, and support systems will define the next phase of pet ownership. As work environments continue to shift, the ability to respond to a pet’s needs, particularly in urgent moments, may become one of the most meaningful measures of flexibility,” the report says.
The survey also found:
- 39% of pet owners have used PTO or sick leave to care for a sick pet;
- 19% have lied about why they’re taking time off when the real reason was pet care;
- 16% have looked for a new job to maintain flexibility for pet care; and
- 14% have turned down or skipped a higher-paying job to avoid leaving their pet longer.
“The relationship between work and pet care has become more interconnected than at any point in recent memory. What began as a period of expanded flexibility has evolved into a more complex landscape, where professional expectations and pet well-being must be carefully balanced.”
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