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Even if they bring home less bacon, pet parents will still prioritize their pets.
26% of dog owners would be willing to take a 10% pay cut if they could work remotely with their dog, according to a new survey.
Men were more likely to be okay with a salary reduction if it meant they could work from home.
Money isn’t the only workplace perk that dog lovers are willing to toss aside to work with their pooch. More than a third of people said they would give up their benefits. 21% of respondents said they would take a job that offered fewer vacation days.
Which of the following would you sacrifice in order to work remotely so that you can be at home with your dog?
Commuting is a Bridge Too Far for Many Dog Owners
Dog owners don’t want to go into the office. Almost half of remote workers who own dogs said they would only ever work in a remote position if they could stay home with their dog. When it comes to gender, the sentiment is the same.
If you currently work remotely, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “In order to be home with my dog, I would only ever work in a remote position”?
Most dog owners are the same when it comes to their opinions. In order to be with their dogs, more than half of Generation Z,Millennials and baby boomers would only ever work from home.
Generation X, known for being alatchkey kids, were cool with leaving their pups home alone. Only 38% said they would only ever work a remote job if they were home with their dogs, while 28% disagreed and 33% were neutral on the matter.
Employees Can Be Lured Away by Dog-Friendly Workplaces
A lot of American workers need to go to their job sites if they are working from home. That doesn’t always mean they are leaving their dog behind. Almost half of those who work in a dog-friendly office choose their current job because they can bring their dog to work.
32% of people said they would leave their current job if another company allowed them to bring their dog. The idea was open to 35% of the people.
Men are more likely than women to leave their current position if another company allows them to bring their dog to work.
Baby boomers and Generation X were less likely to leave their jobs for dog-friendly places.
Would you leave your current job if another company let you bring your dog to work?
Many Employees are Open to Dog-Friendly Workplaces
When asked how they would feel about their offices becoming dog-friendly, 42% said they would like to have dogs in the office and 23% said they would not care.
Some 16% of people said they would not leave their jobs if dogs were in the office. Some people said they would look for a new job if their workplace started to allow dogs.
How would you feel if your office became a dog-friendly workplace?
More than two-thirds of employees who work with their dogs at home or the office say the dog isn’t a distraction. Those who are not pet owners and who are uncomfortable with dogs in the workplace do not share that opinion.
More than half of people said dogs in the office would distract them. Not liking dogs, fear of dogs and allergies to dogs were some of the reasons given.
If you don’t feel comfortable with a dog-friendly workplace, what is the main reason you don’t want dogs in the office?
Pet Parents Put Their Dog’s Needs First
The number of dog owners willing to take pay cuts, fewer vacation days or leave their current job for a dog-friendly employer speaks to how many workers prioritize their pets over their own needs.
A third of dog owners have prioritized their dog’s medical needs before paying for their own, while 20% have taken out a loan to pay for their dog’s medical expenses. 18% of dog owners have drained their bank accounts to pay for surgery.
Which of the following have you done?
Baby boomers and Generation X were less likely to deplete their savings for their dog’s surgery compared to Generation Z and the other two generations.
If you can’t afford a vet bill, having pet insurance is a good option. Comprehensive plans from the best pet insurance companies cover accidents and illnesses, such as a torn ligament, ingestion of an object, or a serious condition like cancer. Behavioral training is even covered in some plans.
The cost of pet insurance might be more affordable than you think. You can get pet insurance for a dog for an average of $35 per month according to a Forbes advisor analysis. You can find a policy that fits your budget by changing the deductible and reimbursement levels.
Is it worth it to have pet insurance?
Methodology
According to the Market Research Society’s code of conduct, the online survey of 2,000 U.S. employed Americans was conducted by OnePoll. Data was collected in June. There is a margin of error of 2.2 points. The OnePoll research team is a member of the MRS and has a corporate membership with the American Association for Public Opinion Research. Contact pr@forberadvisor.com for a complete survey methodology.