Minnesota company offers employees ‘fur-ternity leave’

People are more attached to their pets than ever, and one Minnesota firm is making sure it stays that way.

Minneapolis-based Nina Hale announced on its website that it has adopted “fur-ternity leave,” a company-wide policy that allows employees to work flexible hours from home for one week after bringing a new puppy or kitten home.

The company said it’s all part of making sure their employees stay happy – and help their new addition adjust.

“Part of embracing employee satisfaction as a business priority means recognizing important life events that happen outside of the office,” Nina Hale CEO Donna Robinson said. “If we want to continue to set the example as a top workplace, it is crucial to offer innovative benefits that help to preserve the work-life happiness of our employee owners.”

The policy was inspired by Connor McCarthy, a senior account manager at the firm, who asked for a week of flexible hours when he got a new dog in May.