Dog-friendly perks attractive to millennials
LOS ANGELES - Dogs in the workplace are becoming a perk to lure millennial employees from competitors, no matter how many sick days they offer.
According to a recent survey, 71 percent of men and 62 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 34 own a dog.
Given that millennials comprise their core, it is no wonder why tech giant Google issues badges for frequent dog visitors and why video game company Activision Blizzard sees around 397 dogs regularly accompany their owners to work.
They reduce stress with companionship, but also alleviate one of the biggest stresses for owners -- getting home to let them out. Instead, employees are able to work until the job is done.
Considering millennials are getting married later than their predecessors, their pets can be as important to them as children. Health insurance for a family may not be a perk to your average millennial, but discounted doggy daycare and pet insurance is.
The flipside is a concern with allergies and when conference calls are interrupted with barking. That’s why software giant Salesforce lets up to six employees book a communal workspace with their pets. It is soundproof and has rubber flooring for accidents and those pre-meeting nerves.
Whatever the case, the changing workforce is changing the workplace as we know it. Regardless, your interns will be much better at “fetch.”