More than three times as many employees at pet friendly workplaces report a positive working relationship with their boss and co-workers.

BREA, California (PRNewswire) — A recent study conducted by Nationwide, in partnership with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), reveals that 90 percent of employees in pet friendly workplaces feel highly connected to their company’s mission and fully engaged with their work as well as willing to recommend their employer to others.

In contrast, less than 65 percent of employees in non-pet friendly workplaces made the same claims.

The study defined a pet friendly workplace as one that allows pets (regularly or occasionally) and/or offers a pet friendly employee benefit, such as pet health insurance.

More than three times as many employees at pet friendly workplaces report a positive working relationship with their boss and co-workers, significantly more than those in non-pet friendly environments. Moreover, these employees are more likely to stay with a company long term. The findings held true even among non-pet owners in both pet friendly and non-pet friendly workplaces.

Below are key findings from the Nationwide/HABRI pet friendly workplace effectiveness study:

“The results of the Nationwide/HABRI study clearly indicate a significantly higher level of employee engagement, retention, attraction and presenteeism among employees that work in pet friendly work environments,” said Scott Liles, vice president and chief pet insurance officer for Nationwide, who added that, when considering the cost of employee turnover, adding pet friendly benefits such as pet health insurance can provide significant savings to a company’s bottom line.”

When viewed across generations, millennials are far more likely than their Generation X and baby boomer counterparts to value a pet friendly work environment, according to the Nationwide/HABRI pet friendly workplace effectiveness study:

“Pet owners increasingly think of their pets as members of the family,” said Steven Feldman, executive director of HABRI. “When employers offer pet friendly benefits, it sends an important signal that the company cares about every member of the family, even the ones with four legs.”

With more than 700,000 insured pets, Nationwide is the first and largest provider of pet health insurance in the United States. Nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies, and more than 6,000 U.S. companies overall, offer Nationwide pet insurance as a voluntary employee benefit.

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About Nationwide pet insurance
Nationwide pet health insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Pet owners can find Nationwide pet insurance on Facebook or follow on Twitter. For more information about Nationwide pet insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.

About the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is a not-for-profit organization that maintains the world’s largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; funds innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information about the HABRI Foundation, please visit www.habri.org.