The Pandemic Puppy Predicament

Meet Bentley. In January 2021 I was Bentley’s puppy nanny. It was my job to make sure he made it safely from his breeder in Pennsylvania to his new home in Utah. This isn’t my new side hustle and I’m not giving up well-being strategy consulting to be a puppy nanny. I was doing this as a gift of self to Bentley’s new owner (let’s call him Dave), who didn’t want to travel cross-country during the pandemic.

Bentley is like thousands of other puppies who went to new homes during the pandemic. Many of those pandemic puppies have been surrounded by people full time, people who played with them, gave them treats, and took them for walks whenever they wanted.

Alas, the Bentleys and Daves of the world may be in for a big awakening, should the pet owners have to return to work in the office. Most organizations are making plans for how they will transition employees back to the workplace. Whether this includes giving employees the option to work remotely, some or all of the time, is beginning to unfold.

Bentley doesn’t want to be left home alone (cue the vet trips for anxiety separation meds). And Dave doesn’t want to leave him home alone. As a matter of fact, Dave is not too excited about returning to his pre-pandemic commute and lifestyle. He’s happy and productive working from home. He enjoys having the flexibility to take breaks from his computer screen to walk Bentley and get some fresh air.

What Employees Want Now

Employees have found a new and effective way of working during the pandemic that supports their well-being. Work from anywhere has shown that employees can be productive, while also honoring their desire for flexibility. Employers will need to give strong consideration to how they design their workplace of the future to ensure it aligns with what is meaningful to employees.

Many large employers are adopting work from anywhere policies. San Francisco based tech giant, Salesforce, is offering employees three options for how they wish to work: office-based, for those who choose to work onsite, flex, which allows employees to come into the office part of the time, or fully remote, for those whose positions don’t require them to be in-person or who live too far away to commute. The decision was in response to feedback from employee wellness surveys conducted over the course of the pandemic.  

Job Growth Ahead

Recent research shows that as many as 52% of North American employees surveyed will be looking for a new job in 2021. The primary motivating factors are disengagement, burnout, and work-life balance. As an employer, this statistic should keep you up at night. Economists predict that we will see strong job creation starting now. With a surge in the opportunities available to them, employees will be well-positioned should they wish to find a workplace that better fits their needs and wants.

Overcoming the Pandemic Puppy Predicament

Prioritizing employee well-being will be essential for employers to retain their top talent and deter employees from seeking greener pastures. The workplace is evolving, and companies must consider offering flexible options that may support a better employee experience. Let’s make sure Bentley isn’t left alone all day and that Dave is happy and productive.