We’re celebrating National Pet Day! Did you know that pets impact work positively? It’s true! Pets are proven to lower stress. There are different ways that pets can be a part of the workday. Some workplaces have an office pet and others allow their employees to bring their pet to the office. At Makai HR, we are a remote-first workplace that allows people to spend time with their pets while working from home. We have made working remotely the primary option for our employees, which means most of our team members are rarely required to perform their jobs from the office. Our employees (and their pets) really appreciate our remote-first workplace!
Pets increase wellbeing
Our pets were our constant companions during “stay-at-home” orders. Our dogs also kept us company on quiet walks and were always there when we needed a cuddle. Pets benefited hugely when their owners began working from home during the pandemic because suddenly their “people” were home all day. Pets are also known to improve their owner’s well-being and studies have even found that pets can lower blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks, so it’s safe to say that spending all this additional time with pets during such a stressful time was hugely beneficial for people too.
How pets fit into new workplace environments
While many people have moved back to the office since the end of the pandemic, a study by Upwork predicts that fully remote workers will represent 27.7% of the workforce and 20.4% will be partially remote by 2025.
As more and more workers have the option to work from home, our pets will become an even bigger part of our day and our mental well-being. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership and 75% of pet owners reported a friend or family member’s mental health had improved from owning a pet.
In addition, they reported the following five key benefits of pet ownership:
- Pets reduce stress. Many studies have concluded that pet owners have significantly lower heart rates and blood pressure because their pets reduce stress.
- Pets improve mood and help to fight depression. According to a HABRI survey of family physicians, 87% said their patients’ moods or outlooks had improved because of owning a pet. Another study found that pets help people cope with depression and other long-term mental health issues because they serve as a useful distraction from typical symptoms and encourage activity. They say laughter is the best medicine and research has found that pet owners laugh more on a daily basis!
- Pets reduce loneliness. Pets help combat loneliness and isolation because they provide constant loyalty and companionship. They love us unconditionally and seem to understand when we’re having a tough day. Pets can also create a sense of purpose and meaning that fills a hole in our lives.
- Pets improve overall well-being. In a Nationwide/HABRI study, 96% of pet owners agree that their pets have had a positive impact on their life. Pets contribute to our overall well-being by bringing joy and comfort, which enhances mental health.
- Pets provide long-term help for people dealing with mental health challenges. Owning a pet provides us with a sense of purpose and responsibility, which creates routines that can be beneficial for helping people with mental health issues.
Benefits of pets in the workplace
Studies have shown that pets can be beneficial to the workplace because they improve workplace spirits and bring some comic relief to lighten the mood. Pets can also have a calming effect in the workplace, because they reduce blood pressure, lower stress, and make employees more friendly with each other as they bond over a shared pet.
Makai HR employees and their pets
Many of our own teammates at Makai HR have beloved pets that they are excited to share.
Meet some of them here: (Please click the photos for a closer look.)
Partnering with Makai HR
We are proud to be named to Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2023 Best Places to Work and Pacific Business News’ 2023 Hawaii’s Best Workplaces list. If you’re looking for comprehensive HR solutions for your business, we’ve got you covered through HR outsourcing.
When you partner with Makai HR you can get on with the business you are trying to grow while we take care of your employee needs from payroll to taxes, health insurance/benefits and worker’s compensation. You also gain peace of mind that you are compliant with all of Hawaii’s employer laws (if you’ve ever looked you know that the list is very long and changes happen). When choosing a PEO to partner with, there are many things to consider including cost, services, and technology solutions.
With the cost of doing business in Hawaii at record highs, we know how important it is to keep labor costs in line with revenue. Our plans are priced competitively and include value-added services like time-in/time-out systems. Our customized PEO solutions are tailored to the size of your business and specific needs. We offer a 100% paperless solution which means that your employees can manage their needs through a computer, tablet, or phone. We can truly improve your employees’ work benefits while freeing you up to operate your business.
What are you waiting for? Companies that partner with a PEO benefit from 7-9% faster growth, 10-14% lower employee turnover; and they are 50% less likely to go out of business. Contact us today to get started!