The COVID-19 pandemic dynamically changed how people work. For more than a year many were forced to switch to remote working from their homes while social distancing rules were in effect. Now with many employers trying to get their workers back to in person working, many have noticed the apprehension to return to an office where they’ll lose their work-life flexibility and comforts of working from home.
While some businesses have moved to fully remote work now or have added some flexibility to the work-from-home offering, many others are requiring that staff come back to the office and their pre-pandemic setup.
To make the return a little more appealing many are also adding new perks to sweeten the pot. One of the best we’ve seen is new pet stipends being offered to employees. These are meant to provide employees with additional resources to fund important pet sitting, walking or other activities they and their pets have gotten accustomed to during the time they worked from home.
In addition to being a particularly sweet perk, it also comes at a time when the number of pet owners has skyrocketed. In fact, pet adoptions increased drastically during the pandemic as people sought the companionship and affection of a furry friend.
Other big brand offices are even listing their jobs with “pet-friendly environments” to attract workers who would be compelled to take a job if they could also take their pup along with them.
Outside of pet perks, many companies are trying things like 4-day work weeks, free lunches, and relaxed dress codes to try and attract workers back to in person working.