Workplace Options News: Employee Benefits Go to the Dogs

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Employee Benefits Go to the Dogs

National Survey Shows Increased Demand for Convenience Services, Including Pet Care

Contact:
Christine Hall
chall@capstrat.com
919-882-1998

26 August 2008 – Raleigh, NC – 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), the largest provider of work-life employee benefits in America, three out of five workers own pets. 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%.

About Workplace Options

Workplace Options helps employees balance their work, family and personal life in order to make their lives healthier, easier and more productive. The company's world-class employee support and work-life services provide information, resources, referrals and consultation on a variety of issues ranging from dependent care, legal and financial issues to stress management and wellness.

Drawing from an international network of credentialed providers and professionals, Workplace Options is the world's largest integrated employee support services and work-life provider. Service centers in Raleigh. N.C., London, Toronto and Dublin support more than 32 million employees in 20,000 organizations, across 170 countries. To learn more, visit www.workplaceoptions.com.