Mars Petcare opened its new North American headquarters in Franklin, TN, created as the “Pet Friendly Workplace of the Future.”
The new office fosters a collaborative working environment for associates and their four-legged friends, including:
- Wi-fi enabled dog park with seating areas and room to run so people and pets can work and play together.
- Two indoor dog play areas, staffed by a “pack leader” and full-time “pet sitters” so associates who may have a busy day can still bring their pets.
- Coffee bars on every floor that also have automated “slurp stations” for pets so that everyone can enjoy break time together.
- Custom pet bed and toy storage space throughout the office.
- Wider furniture with pet-friendly fabric, including sofas and ottomans, so associates can lounge with their furry friends.
- More than 60 acres of outdoor green space and walking paths — all designed with pet-friendly landscaping.
The new corporate headquarters is designed to “serve as a beacon for other business leaders across the country to introduce pet-friendly polices at their own workplaces.”
“We’ve welcomed pets into our offices for years. We know that they reduce stress and increase our collaboration and productivity at work,” said Mark Johnson, president of Mars Petcare North America. “And, pets are great for talent recruitment. We know that a majority of candidates would always choose a pet-friendly employer over one who is not. The bottom line is that being a pet-friendly work place is great for our associates, it’s great for our pets, and it’s great for our business.”
Mars Petcare notes that consumer surveys have shown that pets in the workplace boost morale by contributing to lower stress levels and increased collaboration among employees. They can even make a job more satisfying.
When Mars Petcare surveyed business leaders and their employees across the U.S. about pets at work, 87 percent said being dog-friendly helps them attract and retain more talent. In addition, nearly 60 percent of employees said they’d choose a dog-friendly employer over one who’s not.
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“When you welcome pets to the workplace, everyone wins — they make going to work more enjoyable, and it means our pets spend less time alone at home,” said Dave Bradey, vice president of people and organization at Mars Petcare. “Since pets naturally help us socialize, there is no better way to meet new colleagues, which in turn leads to improved communication. It’s no wonder pet-friendly workplaces are an important perk for job seekers”
The “Pet-Friendly Workplace of the Future” is the latest initiative from Mars Petcare to promote the benefits of pet companionship and encourage pet-friendly policies — whether in the workplace or the community. Mars Petcare created the Better Cities for Pets to inspire business leaders and municipalities to enact pet-friendly polices by providing easily accessible resources featuring best practices as well as industry research on the benefits pets have on humans. The Better Cities for Pets certification program honors municipalities already advocating for fewer pets in shelters, more pet-friendly places and increased housing options for people with pets.
In addition to the new headquarters, Mars Petcare’s hometown of Franklin is home to almost 100 pet-friendly shops and restaurants in the downtown area alone.
For more information about Better Cities for Pets and how to assess your city to be certified, visit bettercitiesforpets.com.
Photo Credit: Hall + Merrick Photographers
