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Employee Benefits Go to the Dogs
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Employee benefits have gone to the dogs, and cats …and even birds. As the daily requirements of pet care affect workers' ability to manage home and work responsibilities, they may look to their employers for help. According to a national survey of working adults commissioned by Workplace Options (WPO). Of those responding, 43% said they would use employer-provided services to help find resources for their pets if they were offered. To address this trend and help employees focus on their jobs, companies are starting to include pet care resources as part of their work-life benefits programs.
"Offering pet care resources and other convenience services is a great way for companies to reduce workers' stress about everyday demands and make them feel good about their workplace," said Dean Debnam, chief executive officer for WPO. "Whether it's assisting an employee with caring for an elderly parent or a more practical issue like finding a reliable pet sitter, convenience services are a smart investment that pays off for employers in the long run."
The WPO survey also found that 72% of workers polled are currently stressed by their job. Convenience services can help reduce worker anxiety over the competing daily demands of work and family by saving time and reducing unnecessary distractions.
Convenience services are designed to assist employees with their tasks to make managing their personal and professional lifestyles easier. Through these convenience services, consultants are made available to respond to an employee's specific needs.
Typical convenience service requests include research or referrals for:
* Pet sitters, veterinarians and pet obedience training
* Apartment locators, moving and relocation services
* Consumer comparisons and shopping
* Fitness centers and wellness programs
* Contracting and chore services
* Transportation and travel services
* Entertainment
In addition to telephone consulting, WPO convenience services offer a Web site that allows employees to search for information independently.
"More than one-third of workers polled feel that convenience services are important and more than half of employees would use them if their employer provided the services free of charge," added Debnam. "By respecting the demands of daily living and providing time-saving solutions for their employees companies can anticipate greater retention rates and a boost in morale."
The national surveys, conducted by the North Carolina firm of Public Policy Polling on June 14 and July 18 2008, polled 505 and 526 working adults respectively. The surveys have a margin of error of ± 3.7%.
Workplace Options (WPO) is America's largest provider of work-life services. WPO's market-leading products are recognized for their innovative Web delivery, flexibility and affordable pricing. WPO also offers network management solutions and 24/7 call center services that help EAPs run their businesses more profitably and efficiently. For more information about WPO, please visit www.workplaceoptions.com.