To help create greater awareness for National Bring your Dog to Work Day this Friday June 26, 3MillionDogs.com conducted an online poll with its readers, produced a video (shown below) to help promote it and even created a downloadable petition (large, small,and really small office versions) for employees to share.
Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with offices in New York and San Francisco, 3MillionDogs.com and its companion Facebook app is where dogs and their owners find community, share stories and, via GoodDogDeals, shop. It is a property of Poolhouse.ca
With over 500 responses, the results are in and it’s proof, once again, that dogs can make the world a better place.
- 95% said they would be less stressed.
- 94% said they would be happier and more productive.
- 91% said they would get along with their coworkers better.
- 66% of respondents said they would even be willing to take a cut in pay if their employer allowed them to bring their dog to work.
All of this is surprising, given that only 24% of American workers are allowed to bring their dog to work.
Wondering what are the top dog-friendly places to work for? Here are the TOP 12 according to researched done by Rover.com. (And for some of these companies, you may not even have to take a pay cut!)
#1 – Ben & Jerry’s
South Burlington, VT This ice cream behemoth boasts the enviable employee perk of three free pints of ice cream…per day! But staff members are equally sated by a pet-friendly office that welcomes their beloved dogs.
#2 – BISSELL
Grand Rapids, MI A love of pets is at the core of BISSELL. Their pet initiatives include everything from designing products specifically for pet clean-up (major points for less dog hair) to advocating for pet adoption and helping homeless animals through the BISSELL Pet Foundation. Employees benefit, too, with a dog-friendly office featuring the Bissell Pet Spot, an indoor dog spa with a play area and bathing stations. “We’ve noticed that associates who utilize the Pet Spot are productive, happy, and appreciate the opportunity to bring their dogs to work,” says Becky Neibarger, Associate Manager of Public Relations and Social Media for BISSELL.
#3 – Build-A-Bear Workshop
St. Louis, MO It only seems right that this furry and fluffy company—one of FORTUNE 100 Best Companies To Work for seven years running—would have a dog-friendly workplace. Birthday “cele-bear-ations” feature tasty cakes for four-legged friends, and the company offers a special concierge service: Get your dog dropped off and picked up from their doggy day spa.
#4 – CLIF Bar & Company
Emeryville, CA A great workplace for outdoorsy dogs, CLIF Bar & Company practices what they preach. Dogs have access to a large off-leash area and a special pet insurance discount. Plus, employees get paid time off when they volunteer for animal-related causes.
#5 – Etsy
Brooklyn, NY An early adopter of the dog-friendly policy, craft marketplace Etsy believes this benefit helps foster a sense of community and connection among employees. Coupled with meal-sharing, volunteer opportunities, and employee bike rides, this dog-friendly office definitely makes our roundup.
#6 – Google
Mountain View, CA Known for its astounding employee perks (from on-site haircuts to free and fancy food), Google tops our list of the dog-friendliest workplaces. Their comprehensive dog policy lays out guidelines for pet parents, including being mindful of allergies and cleaning up after accidents. Employees count bringing their dog to work among their favorite Google perks—and at an office with a ball pit and complimentary massages, that’s really saying something.
#7 – Humane Society
Washington, DC This dog-loving organization wrote the book on dog-friendly policies—literally. They published Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces (Humane Society Press, 2009), “the definitive guide to creating a business environment where employees’ dogs are welcome.” Their own policy allows for reimbursement for pet care expenses incurred due to work-related travel, discounts on pet insurance, and more.
#8 – Mashable
New York, NY This digital news outlet boasts 42 million monthly visitors (of the human variety), and an office amenable to furry friends, too.
#9 – Refinery29
New York, NY This lifestyle destination is committed to empowering puppy lovers. The dogs roaming their pet-friendly office help bring colleagues together and add even more cuteness to an already-fashionable bunch.
10 Rover.com
Seattle, WA You know we’ve gotta include Rover—because the truth is, the Rover offices take dog-friendly to a whole new level. With complimentary dog treats, doggy raincoats (it is Seattle, after all), and great dog benefits including funds to adopt a dog and canine bereavement leave, Rover truly is a dog lover’s other best friend. Get in on the fun! Watch the Rover office dogs nap and play on the RoverCam.
#11 – Trupanion
Seattle, WA It follows that a pet insurance company would offer terrific dog benefits. Employees get baby gates, pet insurance, full-time dog walking services, and pet bereavement leave—plus an official team overseeing their robust pet policy. Trupanion has an excellent resource center for other workplaces looking to go dog-friendly. Check out their Celebrating Dogs in the Workplace checklist and learn how to make your office a happy space for humans and dogs alike.
#12 – Zynga
San Francisco, CA At this gaming company, every day is “bring your dog to work day.” With subsidies for pet insurance, a rooftop dog park, and complimentary dog treats, employee pets get the royal treatment.
