Hard at Woof: Dogs in Your Office

People tend to marry late and delay having children these days. Consequently, they choose pets to keep them company. They feel more secure and happier when they are able to bring them to work. Along with other incentives, such as flexible working hours, people now look forward to working in pet-friendly work environments.

Seven in 10 millennials own pets and over half of them own dogs. The companies that have allowed dogs at workplaces say that the benefits are worth the special efforts made in doing so.

Benefits of Dogs at Office

Dogs help improve employee wellness and overall growth at workplaces.

Health

Research found a significant decline in the stress levels of employees on days when their dogs were present in the office. Several studies have shown that petting dogs can increase levels of the happy hormone oxytocin and decrease the stress hormone cortisol. They often bring levity in tense situations.

Dog owners need to take their dogs outside and walk them. If you own a dog, this means you have to take a break and do so. Walks provide you with good exercise and boost creative thinking.

Productivity

Lower stress means you are healthier and can work better. Banfield Pet Hospital's PAWrometer 2017 findings showed that 73 percent of employees believe having pets at work benefits them.

It also revealed that people prefer working at pet-friendly workplaces and that 82 percent of employees at pet-friendly offices are more loyal to their companies. Another study showed that dogs promote unity, bonding, and trust among teammates.

Also, if you bring your dog to work, you need not worry about him/her being alone at home. You will be able to work comfortably until you finish what you were doing. Moreover, it saves you money you spend on dog day care.

Social Connections

Dogs help de-stress you as well as your customers and increase camaraderie between you and your clients. This is especially so in customer-facing businesses, such as shops, where customers are attracted by them.

Bringing dogs to work can help promote a sense of community and improve business growth.

Unconditional Companionship

Dogs don't need chargers or cables. They are not distracted by social media. They don't care about data, applications, algorithms, or reports. Although they are least interested in your jobs, they make great collaborators.

Making Your Office a Dog-Friendly Place

Many companies, including Amazon and Google, allow dogs at work. However, making workplaces dog-friendly can be daunting. Many employees have allergies and phobias. Besides, work environments can be full of potential safety hazards. The following are some measures that make the transition smooth.

Survey employee opinions anonymously: You need to know if there are serious objections to bringing dogs to your workplace.

Review your insurance terms: Since you are responsible for any injury or damage caused by your dog, check if your policy covers any pet-related event at work.

Spread awareness: Discuss the advantages of bringing dogs. Mention acceptable and unacceptable pet and human behavior. Set clear rules.

Prep your workplaces: Designate dog-free zones for your colleagues who are allergic to them or uncomfortable around them. Pet-proof your workplace by securing loose wires, placing equipment and cleaning supplies out of dogs' reach, ensuring that all trash cans have lids, etc. Also, invest in carpet cleaners and dog pens.

Offer basic necessities to dogs and their owners: Insist on flexibility for owners to tend to their dogs' needs. Dogs should have access to food, water, litter boxes, and health checks. Ensure that they are comfortable around other humans and animals.

Check periodically: Schedule regular checks to ensure that everyone is happy with having dogs around, nobody has had any bad experiences, and that you comply with all necessary legal regulations.

Many businesses have successfully integrated dogs into the workplace. By doing so, they have given their employees soothing workplaces and themselves, greater chances of success.