If there’s one thing to make the workday go by faster, it is having your best four-legged friend by your side. With the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have become accustomed to being with their pets all day and companies are learning more about the benefits of pet-friendly offices.
As people start returning to offices, Better Cities for Pets says that 89% of pet parents report that it is important for them to continue spending time with their pets during the workday. But not every dog is well-suited for a 9-5 office schedule. How can pet parents set their pups up for success if they want to bring their dog to work?
Pros of bringing your dog to work
More research is being done about the benefits of having a pet-friendly workspace. We know that dog ownership is good for us on an individual level, and it turns out that these positive outcomes translate to entire companies, too. Some of these benefits include:
- Support employee physical and mental health – Having a dog is a great way to be active. Bringing your dog to work means that you will have opportunities to take a break from your desk, get fresh air, and stretch and exercise. Dogs also help lighten the mood and reduce stress! Better Cities for Pets notes that 75% of pet owners expressed concern about their own personal stress over returning to work without their dog.
- Reduce pet care costs – If you typically send your dog to daycare or hire a dog walker, bringing your pet to work is a huge money saver.
- Dog stress, socialization, and activity – Dogs are social creatures. Compared to staying at home alone all day, being in the office is a great way for dogs to socialize and get stimulation, as well as avoid any separation-related stress. This is not the case with every dog, however, so pet parents should consider whether the office is the most comfortable space for their individual dog.
- Boost employee morale, job satisfaction, and performance – Happy employees also means better retention and lower levels of employee absenteeism, improving overall productivity.
- Strengthen office sense of community – Pets can be a point of common interest and can get co-workers talking to each other in a friendly way. Encouraging social interaction helps support both employees and business.
- Attract and keep top talent – Like generous maternity benefits or retirement plans, a dog-friendly office can be very enticing to potential hires. Once they’ve found a company that allows them to spend time with their beloved pet, it is not likely they will want to give that perk up anytime soon.
Cons of dog-friendly offices
Bringing your dog into the office is not always a smooth process and may not be the best decision for everyone. Some potential negative aspects of having dogs in the office include:
