What is pawternity leave and which companies offer it?

What is pawternity leave? 

‘Pawternity leave’ describes paid time off to take care of a new pet. Although not a legal obligation, it’s a unique perk that employers can add to their offering. And there is demand, with on average between 6-8% of candidates on the Flexa platform searching for roles that offer pawternity leave as an employee benefit. 

Additionally, almost a third (31.4%) of employees mention they would be more inclined to invest in a pet if their workplace had flexible policies that support this. 

Pawternity leave isn't just about cuddling cute pets (although that's a big perk!), it's about creating a supportive environment where employees can thrive both at work and at home. There are many other ways companies can support employees with pets, including creating dog friendly workplaces.

What are the benefits of pawternity leave?

There are many reasons why being given time off to take care of a new pet is beneficial:

1. Bonding time: Taking pawternity leave allows you uninterrupted time to bond with your new pet. Whether it's a puppy learning to trust you or a kitten exploring their new surroundings, this initial bonding period is crucial for building a strong relationship.

2. Training support: During pawternity leave, you can focus on training your pet. This could include house training, basic commands, or even socialisation skills. With your undivided attention, your pet can learn faster and adapt better to your household rules.

3. Reduced stress: Bringing a new pet into your home can be stressful, especially if you're also trying to manage work responsibilities. Pawternity leave reduces this stress by allowing you to dedicate time solely to your pet's needs without the pressure of work deadlines or meetings.

4. Improved productivity: When you return to work after pawternity leave, you're likely to be more focused and productive. Knowing that your pet is settled and comfortable at home gives you peace of mind, allowing you to concentrate on your tasks without worrying about their well-being.

5. Employee loyalty: Companies that offer pawternity leave demonstrate their commitment to supporting employees in both their professional and personal lives. This gesture fosters loyalty and appreciation among employees, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention rates.

Which companies offer pawternity leave?

Some of the companies that already offer pawternity leave include:

• Mars is a global, family-owned business, transforming, innovating, and evolving in ways that affirm its commitment to making a positive impact on the world around it. Mars gives employees 10 hours of paid leave to help pets acclimate to a new home.
• Pets at Home is part of the UK’s leading pet care group, bringing together Pets at Home, Pets Grooming, and Vets for Pets to deliver the best in pet care products, services, and advice. Employees get an additional day off work to help settle in a new puppy, kitten, a rescue, or a horse into their family.
• Howells was established in 1991 to provide share scheme administration solutions for listed companies with varying and complex needs.
• Veramed is a Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) that supports biotech and pharmaceutical clients with their clinical studies across the drug development lifecycle.
• Tangle Teezer offers an online store for various types of hair products.
• Vets for Pets is one of the UK’s largest veterinary groups, with a national network of over 450 locally owned, locally operated practices
• Support Dogs. Established in 1992 in Sheffield, Support Dogs is a registered, national charity dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children and adults with various challenging medical conditions.

And there are plenty more flexible companies offering this perk alongside other benefits for our fur pals, including dog-friendly offices (one of the most popular benefits according to data collected on the Flexa platform).

Flexible working as a pet owner 

Flexible working itself is a fantastic employee benefit that enables pet owners to give their pets the time and care they need - not to mention save on expenses relating to care. 

Being able to work at home or take your dog to work means that owners can feel reassured they are in good care and are getting the regular exercise and social interaction that they need. 

But flexible working doesn’t just help pet owners, it helps the pets, too. It's why Flexa is proud to be a remote-first and flexible company.

Maurice - Co-founder of Flexa

“When we first got our dog, I was primarily working in an office which was not dog-friendly, so I didn’t get to spend much time with him for the first 6 months. Flexible working has completely changed that, as I now work from home regularly, plus our optional office is dog-friendly. Thankfully, I now get to spend almost every day with the hound.”

Aqua - Former Operations & Partnerships Lead at Flexa

“I get to go out for walks throughout the day with Leila, helping both of our physical and mental health; she also makes a great sofa cuddle buddy when working. Because she's not left home alone all day, this means myself and my partner can happily go out during the evening. It also allows extra time for dog training, meaning we can take her everywhere with us, even travelling and working from anywhere! If I'm working alone at home, she makes it feel a lot less lonely and she honestly warms my heart so much."

Fliss - Head of Design at Flexa

“If I couldn't work flexibly I would never have been able to adopt our two high-maintenance rescues - sometimes they’re a pain, but I love them to bits.”