Dog owners up and down the country are turning down their dream jobs if it means they can’t bring their pooch into the office.
More than a third (37%) would reject the role entirely, with almost half (43%) believing they should have the same privileges as parents, new research by Rover.com has revealed. Shockingly, 29% of Brits admitted they would even take a pay cut to ensure their pup is welcomed at work, while 1 in 5 (20%) said they’d go as far rejecting their dream job if there was no room to accommodate their furry friends.
When job hunting, almost a quarter of Brits (23%) said having their dog at work is a top priority —outranking perks like a company gym (6%), paid health care (18%), and a company canteen (10%). With January marking the peak season for job hunting, the new figures represent a huge cultural shift in priorities, with a massive 47% of owners now expecting dog-friendly policies as standard.
This is because the majority of Brits believe dogs help reduce stress, boost team morale and improve workplace atmosphere. Going one step further, almost 1 in 4 said having dogs in the office has made it easier to get to know their colleagues on a more personal level – beating traditional icebreakers like team away days and company drinks, with pups given honorary job titles like ‘Pawsitivity Maker’, ‘Chief Fun Operator’ and ‘CEO of Happiness and Cuddles’.
47% of owners expect dog-friendly policies as standard
(
Image:
Getty Images)
The research also revealed the country’s top 10 dog-friendly cities, which make up a third of the UK’s current workplaces boasting dog-friendly policies.
Top 10 UK cities with dog-friendly workplaces:
-
Coventry (57%)
-
Newcastle (49%)
-
Brighton (47%)
-
Oxford (44%)
-
Leicester (40%)
-
Cambridge (39%)
-
Bristol (38%)
-
Sheffield (38%)
-
Belfast (36%)
-
London (37%)
Top 10 breeds that make the best ‘office dogs’:
-
Golden Retriever (13%)
-
Labrador Retriever (11%)
-
Cockapoo (8%)
-
Cocker Spaniel (6%)
-
Jack Russell Terrier (5%)
-
Dachshund (5%)
-
German Shepherd (5%)
-
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (5%)
-
French Bulldog (4%)
-
Border Collie (4%)
Coventry has been named as the most dog-friendly city to work in
(
Image:
Getty Images)
While 62% of respondents said they would love to bring their dog into their workplace, over a third (34%) admit they would uncomfortable, fearing their pup would be too excitable or stressed in a busy office environment.
Rover’s VP of People and Culture, Jovana Teodorovic says: “With a growing demand for flexible, dog-friendly policies, it is clear that pet-friendly workplaces are not just a passing trend—they are becoming an essential aspect of modern office culture and a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent. Companies that embrace this shift can give themselves a real edge by creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that appeals to employees and potential recruits alike.”
“For workplaces that may not yet accommodate pets, Rover offers flexible pet care options, allowing employees to arrange for a trusted sitter or dog walker to look after their furry friends during the working day. This ensures employees can focus on their tasks without worry, knowing their pets are in safe hands.”