The benefits of allowing dogs in the workplace

Are dogs legally allowed in a workplace?

It kind of makes sense to start with the obvious question of whether dogs are actually allowed in the workplace. Thankfully, the answer is yes, dogs are absolutely allowed in the workplace by law but at the discretion of the business.

As you can imagine, though, there’s quite a lot of red tape that needs navigating before someone’s pooch can enter the building. Think of things like:

• Insurance

• Health and safety

• Designated areas

• Relevant policies

Although it’s not quite as simple as waking up one day and bringing your fluffy companion to work (boy, do we wish it was), it’s absolutely possible with the correct policies, risk assessments, and other legal gubbins.

Is it unprofessional to bring a dog to work?

It’s a fair question to ask, and annoyingly, the answer is "it depends”. Whilst it’s not inherently unprofessional to bring a dog into work, especially if it’s well trained, it does depend on the culture, the people who work there, and the policies in place. For example, if someone has colleagues who are allergic to dogs (which is nightmare fuel), then they’d probably not appreciate a dog being brought into work.

What are the benefits?

Now that we’ve covered the legalities and etiquette of bringing a fluffy friend into work, let’s focus on what you’re really here to learn about, and that’s the numerous benefits of allowing dogs in the workplace.

1. Reduced stress and increased productivity

Studies show that spending time with pets can reduce levels of cortisol (the hormone that is produced when we feel stressed) in the human body. Spending time playing with or caring for a dog has also been shown to lower blood pressure. Such a tangible reduction in stress is likely to work wonders on your workforce, making it a great way of promoting mental health in the workplace. 

Employee stress is one of the biggest factors negatively affecting productivity at work, leading employees to lag in their efficiency and quality of work, as well as resulting in fatigue and even illness. The reduction in stress levels that a workplace pup can provide can go a long way to counteracting the negative effects that stress may have at your place of work, and you will be able to see the benefits in your employees' work output.

2. Improved workplace communication

In workplaces where communication between employees and departments is lacking, introducing dogs into the workplace can work miracles. Having a dog can act as an amazing ice-breaker in all kinds of situations, and the office is no exception. 

When an employee brings their dog to work for the first time, there’s no doubt that it will be a conversation starter, and you might find that colleagues who have never had much reason to chat to each other in the past might strike up new relationships, which can lead to new working bonds.

3. Boosts employee morale

Having the chance to play with a pup at work is almost always guaranteed to bring a smile to employees’ faces. 

Studies have shown that even spending a small amount of time in the presence of a pup can increase the brain’s production of the happiness hormone oxytocin, which we’ve covered in our guide to puppy cuddles and their benefit on mental health. And of course, a happy worker is a less stressed worker and is likely to be much more productive at work as well as expressing higher levels of work satisfaction! 

Having the chance to cuddle a pup at work might just be the thing that gives an employee a spring in their step in the morning and helps keep them bright and cheerful throughout the day.

4. Builds healthy habits

Having pets at the office is, of course, a big responsibility. Pet owners (and their helpful colleagues) will have to be sure to look out for the wellbeing of their dog throughout the day, and that might mean taking it for walks and loo breaks and making sure to feed it at the correct times. 

Caring for another being in this way can also remind us to take the time out of our day to take care of ourselves. Taking a dog out of the office for a quick stroll can be the perfect opportunity for employees to stretch their legs and take their eyes off the screen. 

This also has the added benefit of maintaining performance, with one study by the University of Illinois finding that participants who took more regular breaks sustained greater focus and performance than those who didn’t take any at all.

5. Office dogs get socialised

Many pups have to spend several hours of the day home alone while waiting for their owner to come back from work. Office dogs have a full and exciting day, which involves travelling into work, meeting lots of coworkers and maybe even some other dogs. 

Especially in their early lives, it is important to socialise dogs as frequently as you can to make sure they are familiar with as many different types of people, environments and other dogs as possible, as this means they will be less likely to be frightened and start barking when exposed to a new person or situation. 

Socialised dogs are happy dogs, and bringing your dog to the office is the perfect opportunity to make sure it is well socialised.

6. Employee convenience

Another benefit of being allowed to bring pets into the workplace is that this policy can be really helpful to dog owners in terms of lifestyle. Organising pet care and a dog walker can be both tricky and expensive for employees. 

Being able to bring your dog into work can, therefore, both save employees funds and make their day-to-day planning much more straightforward. The added bonus for employers is that pet owners will no longer need to rush off home at the end of the day to make sure they get back in time to feed and care for a pet that’s pining away at home. 

Employees can finish their work in a more relaxed manner, without the need to cut corners, which means their quality of work is likely to improve.

What do you need to consider?

Of course, allowing dogs to start coming into your workplace is not always simple, and there are lots of factors to take into consideration to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing, including that of the pups themselves! Here are some things to consider if you are thinking of making your workplace dog-friendly.

Insurance and policies

Firstly, you should check to see if having dogs in your office affects your insurance and make sure it is allowed according to any rules set by your landlord, if you have one.

It may sound obvious, but make sure your office has a clear policy around dogs. It’s important to plan this in a way that works well for everyone, and you might want to think about specific days or times when employees are allowed to bring their dogs into the office, as well as consider which office spaces dogs should be allowed to enter and whether you wish to keep any zones dog-free.

You may also consider having a plan in place in case of badly behaved pets in the office, whether that includes public liability insurance or having a sanctions system in place for owners of any naughty pooches who might cause a disturbance. 

Many dogs are perfectly behaved, but it is important to remember that not all owners are the best dog trainers, and when in a strange environment, dogs might be liable to create a nuisance by barking, going to the toilet in inappropriate places, or even biting other employees.

Employee and puppy welfare

Although many employees will be thrilled that you have started allowing pets in the office, check to see if any of your other employees have pet allergies or phobias, and make sure it is possible to put a plan in place to keep them safe, healthy and happy. That might mean only allowing pets in specified spaces in the office to keep them away from vulnerable employees.

Make sure the office is pet-proof by tucking away loose cables or other dangerous items that a dog might try to play with and that human food is kept well out of reach.

If you want to go the extra mile, then ensure there are toys and treats available for any pups who come into the office. This will keep them occupied and entertained while their owners get on with their work. Find something that the dogs will love but that won’t cause too much noise or disturbance to anyone who is trying to work!

It should also go without saying, but water needs to be readily available for pups in the office, and they should be given appropriate bowls to drink from.

Reminders for owners

Perhaps think about providing a checklist for any dog owners who are thinking of bringing their pets into work. This could include reminding them to bring along food and treats, as well as items for cleaning in case of an accident and poop bags (hopefully just for when they take their pups out for a walk).

You could also encourage dog owners to bring a dog bed, cushions or blankets into work – anything that will make sure their pup is comfortable and happy in the office.

Reap the benefits

Keeping all these tips in mind, you should be ready to introduce your pet-friendly office policy in the safest and most beneficial way possible for all your employees and their pets.

As an employer, you are likely to see a huge wealth of benefits when you start to allow dog owners to bring their pets into the workplace. Having a pet-friendly workplace can be a truly wonderful way of helping to build a fun and happy working environment!

References

Research Gate: University of Illinois