64 percent of Swiss employees would change jobs for a pet-friendly office
A new study by Mars, Incorporated shows: Pet-friendly offices are no longer a «nice-to-have» for the Swiss. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed would change employers for such arrangements - putting pets in the workplace above traditional benefits.
To mark this year's «Bring Your Dog to Work Day», Mars, Incorporated conducted a survey of 1,000 Swiss employees. The result is clear: pet-friendly workplaces are no longer a luxury for many employees, but an expectation to be taken seriously - and increasingly have a direct influence on their choice of employer.
Table tennis and free snacks are no longer enough
For 83% of Swiss respondents, dogs and other pets contribute to a more relaxed atmosphere in the workplace. As a result, pet-friendly offices now compete with traditional workplace benefits - and in some cases even surpass them. 48% of Swiss employees rate pet-friendly policies higher than personal benefits such as employee discounts, free snacks or after-work events. 41 percent even put the option of bringing pets to work above extended parental leave or private health benefits.
This trend is particularly pronounced among younger generations: 39% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 46% of 25 to 34-year-olds actively look for pet-friendly policies when looking for a job. For companies that want to attract the talent of today and tomorrow, such offers are thus becoming a strategically relevant factor.
Job change for the four-legged friend - especially in Switzerland
64% of Swiss employees would consider changing jobs if pets were allowed in the workplace. This figure is significantly higher than the comparative figures from Germany and Austria, where 57% of respondents said they would consider it. Pet-friendly workplaces have thus become a tangible competitive advantage in recruiting in Switzerland.
Returning to the office: pet regulations ease the transition
For employers who are currently focusing more on working from home again, pet-friendly regulations also make sense from a practical perspective. 61% of Swiss respondents feel that companies with corresponding office guidelines are more supportive during the transition back to the office - significantly more than in Germany (52%) and Austria (51%). In addition, 86 percent emphasize that pet-friendly working environments promote regular mental and physical breaks. And 46% say that professionally implemented pet policies show that a company really cares about the well-being of its employees.
Transparency required: Pet policies barely visible in job ads
Despite their growing importance, pet-friendly policies are rarely actively communicated. Three quarters of Swiss employees (75 percent) would like to see more transparency about relevant offers in job advertisements. 66 percent state that this information is generally difficult to find when looking for a job. At the same time, 39 percent say that although their company offers pet-friendly policies, these are not mentioned in the job advertisements - an untapped recruiting potential.
Mars Switzerland calls on companies to join in
To mark «Bring Your Dog to Work Day», which takes place worldwide this year on June 26, Mars Switzerland is encouraging other companies to hold their own office day for dogs in June. Mars itself is celebrating internally on June 11, 2026 - although four-legged friends are welcome at Mars all year round. Interested companies can contact Mars Switzerland and receive a compact PDF with practical tips for a relaxed, safe and pet-friendly office day - from house rules and places to retreat to consideration for colleagues without dogs.
«Bring Your Dog to Work Day is a great initiative, but at Mars we have long known the positive impact pets can have in the workplace,‚ says Paolo Rigamonti, Regional President Mars Pet Nutrition Europe. ‘The latest data now makes it even clearer: pet-friendly workplaces promote well-being, strengthen corporate culture and are becoming increasingly important for attracting and retaining talent in the long term. In fact, every day should be a »Bring Your Dog to Work Day«.‚
About the study
The study was commissioned by Mars, Incorporated and conducted by Censuswide. A total of 3,000 employees aged 18 and over in Austria, Germany and Switzerland were surveyed between March 31, 2026 and April 15, 2026. The study is part of Mars, Incorporated's long-standing BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, which promotes pet-friendly environments in places where people live, work and spend their leisure time.
More information: www.mars.ch
