Having pets at work: What are the benefits?

[seonajmulislam00]

The answer probably depends on the particular circumstances of each organization, but it's a question worth considering. Pets have become a highly valued part of our society, and as such, more and more companies have implemented policies that allow owners to bring their little friends to work. To the point where there are workplaces that allow you to bring pets and even your children.

An example of this is Google and Etsy (an online store for handmade items), whose dog-friendly policies are well-known. If you are considering offering this possibility within your workplace, there are certain aspects that must be addressed beforehand.

Benefits of having pets in the workplace

Dog on the couch next to the computer
You may also be interested in: Pet-friendly companies, what they are, advantages and challenges

Bringing pets to work can make the day more fun, friendly and less canada phone number lead stressful for employees. And it's been proven that there are all kinds of benefits associated with bringing your pet to work.

Reduce employee stress levels
For starters, our pets help reduce stress levels, so your four-legged companion will help you work in better conditions.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 7% of employers now allow pets in their workplace, citing health benefits and increased employee morale , as well as increased interaction and cooperation among coworkers . “Plus, a pet-friendly policy is a coveted perk with employees and costs the company virtually nothing,” the association notes.

They help improve communication
Bringing pets to work will help improve communication between employees. Pets act as natural icebreakers , facilitating informal interactions and conversations that might not otherwise occur. Whether your dog has made a fuss, or a kitten is playing with you, it's all a plus. And comfortable employees share more ideas.

They promote creativity and productivity
Another advantage of bringing your pet to work is that they help foster a more relaxed and accessible environment, reducing communication barriers. And going back to those spontaneous encounters with pets in the office, it can lead to spontaneous conversations that boost creativity.

Plus, the presence of pets creates a sense of community and camaraderie. And it's been proven that employees who share a love for animals tend to form stronger bonds, so you'll create the best work environment to boost creativity and productivity.

What considerations should be taken into account when bringing pets to work?
The first thing to decide is whether the location in question is actually pet-friendly . How easily can owners take their pets outside whenever necessary?

bring pet to work
You may also be interested in : The most notorious business bankruptcies

If there is a chance that customers or vendors will come into contact with pets, could this be a problem? The right decision will ultimately depend on the facility, employee preferences, and workplace culture.

What's cool and fun for some people might be stressful for others. For example, if an employee has allergies or a fear of cats or dogs, he or she might have a hard time working next to a coworker's pet, and the possibility of dog bites or cat scratches might present a liability that must always be considered.

Employers who want pets to be able to come with their owners to the office must have policies in place to ensure the safety and success of the initiative . In our country, Affinity Petcare allows its employees to bring their pets to a common area or "Doggy Zone" and, in the case of Google, they even refer to them affectionately with the term "Dogglers."

Establishing a vetting procedure to verify that pets are well trained and docile , and including guidelines that indicate that pets must be vaccinated and dewormed may be some of these guidelines to take into account.

And, of course, employees who prefer not to work in the presence of masks should also have the option of working in a mask-free space.