Employee compensation is, of course, key in attracting and retaining the best employees. Providing competitive benefits, however, is a real challenge for small business owners. We have found that flexibility is one of the biggest benefits we can provide our employees. The other cheap and easy perk we offer – a dog-friendly workplace – benefits us all.
We didn’t decide to be pet friendly as a means of attracting top talent. It was a natural to Debby as an animal lover, but it has turned out to be something that defines us. The most recent statistics I could find are from the American Pet Products Association’s 2006 and 2010 surveys – according to this group only 3% of owners take their dog to work and close to 17% of US businesses were considered pet friendly. Allowing our staff to bring their dogs to work sets us apart from other employers and costs us very little.
Having our dogs here makes life a little easier for our employees and is an automatic icebreaker with visitors. The dogs keep us company and entertained and remind us not to take life too seriously.
We are on our feet a lot around here, but the nice thing about the pups is that they force us to stop and take a break. To move and to go outside for a walk in the fresh air which really turns out to be a boon to both our productivity and our creativity.
We want a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for both our employees and our guests and what says welcome better than a wagging tail!
To read more about the benefits of a pet friendly workplace:
http://www.inc.com/jordan-smith/companies-find-stress-reducing-benefits-of-office-dogs.html
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237982
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