Thousands of British workers are prioritising their dogs over their jobs, as increasing numbers of staff return the office, new research suggests. 

A survey of pet owners by national pet charity Blue Cross has found more than two-fifths (45%) of staff have swapped to remote or hybrid roles because they offered greater flexibility to care for their pet.  

Nearly half of dog-owners (46%) said they had felt judged or unsupported at work due to their responsibilities to their pet.  

More than one in 10 (16%) would even consider changing jobs if they had to return to the office full-time, while over half (55%) would sacrifice a pay rise or holiday days in exchange for flexibility. 

And, half of dog-owning staff (50%) admit they are currently considering moving jobs to better meet their pooch’s needs.  

It comes as ever more staff return to the office five years after the pandemic when global lockdowns sparked a work-from-home revolution. 

But the return-to-office movement is taking a toll with rehoming centres feeling the strain. Blue Cross has seen an 18% increase in dogs coming into the charity’s care - many due to changing work circumstances that make pet care difficult or impossible. 

Blue Cross is calling on businesses to embrace more compassionate and flexible work arrangements policies; including remote or hybrid flexibility and dog-friendly offices to prevent staff having to choose between their dog or their job. 

The study suggests firms that are more pet-inclusive stand to benefit – from improved team morale, to picking from a wider pool of talent. 

According to the research, a third (33%) of UK bosses are considering pooch-friendly policies in view to enticing more of their own hybrid or WFH staff back into the office. While more than one in ten already (12%) have a policy in place.  

Nearly six in ten business leaders (59%) believe dog owners should be given similar flexibility to parents. 

And, more than half (58%) of dog-owning employees say they would spend more days in the office if they were allowed to bring their faithful Fido in to work with them.  

A quarter of applicants say they actively look for firms offering pet-friendly offices with doggy daycare (26%) and hybrid flexibility arrangements (46%) to accommodate their four-legged friend. 

However, companies reluctant to make allowances for man’s best friend, could ultimately pay the price. 

According to the study, 15% of dog-owners would put their pooch before their pay cheque, insisting they would quit if they were ordered back into the office full-time.  

Key Findings of the Blue Cross report: 

• 45% of workers say flexible work allows them to be better pet owners. 

• 28% say they would take a pay cut to stay remote or hybrid and keep their pet routine intact. 

• 46% of employees think businesses should offer more support with flexible or hybrid working policies for dog owners  

• 44% of employees would quit WFH if they were given flexibility to bring in Fido  

Blue Cross allows its employees to bring well-behaved dogs to work wherever possible, and its survey suggests dogs are regular visitors in around 16% of UK offices.  

Of the 1,000 business leaders polled for the study, more than eight in ten (82%) said they have a dog as a pet – and 26% bring them to work at least once a week. 

Beth Verrechia, Director of People Services at Blue Cross, said: “At Blue Cross, we know that dogs are more than just pets, they're family. That’s why we support our employees in bringing their well-adjusted, happy dogs into work, wherever it’s practical and appropriate. 

Many dogs thrive when they’re by their owner’s side. Being left alone for long periods can cause some dogs to become lonely, bored or anxious, which can cause them to howl, bark or become destructive. By allowing dogs in the office, we help promote their emotional wellbeing while strengthening the bond between pets and people. 

“However, our priority is always the welfare of the animals and the safety and comfort of everyone in the workplace. That’s why we have a clear and responsible Dogs in the Office policy in place. We ensure each dog is suited to the environment, and that they are calm, sociable, and comfortable around others both people and pets. 

“We also recognise that not every dog is right for the office. Environments like factories or restaurants may not be safe or practical. Before bringing a dog in, we encourage employees to consider whether their dog will genuinely enjoy the experience, or if they'd be happier at home for the day. 

“At Blue Cross, we believe in creating a pet-friendly workplace that works for everyone with wagging tails and peace of mind.” 

Studies have shown that having dogs around can boost morale and that the employees with access to dogs had higher job satisfaction than industry norms, but not all pets will cope with the commute and office life. 

Beth added: “Our survey shows the difficult choices that pet owners are facing in today’s economic climate.  

“We’d urge businesses to help their pet owning employees where possible, offering flexible work arrangements, responsible pet-friendly policies, even allowing pets in the workplace. This could be key to keeping families and their pets together. 

“Of course, it won’t suit every workplace or every dog, and employers need to assess what’s right for them and their environment, but employers have a real opportunity to support their teams by embracing more compassionate and flexible work policies. 

“Blue Cross services are already being stretched to their limit with an unprecedented number of pets coming through Blue Cross doors over recent years. 

“Many people are being left with no choice but to give up their much-loved pets with living costs still staggeringly high and we’d urge companies to help prevent more owners having to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their much-loved companions.”