The Benefits of Pet-Friendly Offices
Love an office dog? Here's why it can be beneficial.
As people return to work, either full-time or hybrid, they don’t know what to do about their pets. After months of having them at their side, leaving animals at home for several hours seems inconceivable or even negligent.
Some employees have gone as far as quitting for remote roles or positions at pet-friendly offices to avoid being apart from their canines.
With more people contemplating resigning to be with their pets or declining jobs that don’t align with their lifestyle, what can companies do to make themselves more attractive to dedicated pet owners?
Why Is This Happening In the First Place?
We spent a lot of time with our fur children during the pandemic. They provided us with love and comfort during tough times. The bonds with our pets intensified, so we can not imagine being without them for long. First-time pet owners who adopted animals during the pandemic probably can’t imagine a working scenario that doesn’t feature them.
While COVID-19 might have heightened our attachment to our animals, the face of pet ownership has evolved in recent decades.
A study by TD ARMITRADE shows that millennials, now the largest pet-owning group, treat pets like their starter kids, spend more on health and veterinary care, and take additional leave to care for sick or new rescues than other generations.
What Are The Perks Of Animal-Friendly Workplaces?
Free snacks or beer in the office on Fridays, once unique perks, are no longer standout benefits.
However, letting pet lovers bring trained dogs into the office differentiates companies from their competitors. The many benefits of being in an office with well-behaved animals include the following:
Increased Morale
Having pets around can help in stressful working situations, offering comfort and happiness to everyone in the workplace who needs a lick, a snuggle or the calming presence of a dog asleep at their feet.
More Exercise
Striking the ideal work-life balance is essential but sometimes difficult to achieve, especially if there are plenty of things to do in a limited time. Having a pet around forces people to walk their dogs instead of staying inside all day.
More Productivity And Flexibility
Worried about their absent pets, employees might not give full attention to their work. Or, in a rush home to feed Fido at the end of the day, not put extra time into projects.
With their pets in sight - fed, watered, played with and cared for, staff are likely to be more engaged and flexible with their time.
Better Collaboration And Building Professional Relationships
Employees might work together better if there’s a dog around to absolve tense working relationships. A cute puppy can break the ice between colleagues and fellow pet guardians, helping mend strained relationships or start friendships or conversations.
Decreased Financial Stress
With the amount we spend on our beloved furry pals, they’re an enormous financial responsibility.
Being allowed to bring pets to work reduces money generally spent on professional pet services like daycare and dog walking.
And the best part is that bringing pets to work will cost the business minimal.
What Are The Downsides Of Pet-Friendly Workplaces?
Businesses need to consider the problems of having few furry faces in-office before implementing pet-friendly office policies.
Damage to Property
As cute and cuddly as they are, young dogs and pups can sometimes be destructive.
Accidents like urinating on floors or scratching furniture might happen since pet guardians can’t always supervise their pets.
General Mess
Many dog breeds shed and track dirt inside.
Offices committed to being pet-friendly office must be vacuumed and cleaned regularly to rid the workplace of dog fur and dog-related mess.
Allergic Coworkers
Pet dander can make the lives of your allergic coworkers miserable. Bringing pets to work might not be a pleasant experience for others if being near pets causes a severe allergic reaction and discomfort.
Scared Colleagues
Being scared of dogs can be hugely traumatising for some people who’ve had bad experiences or haven’t grown up around pets.
Having pets around might improve the workplace experience for some but creates an unsafe environment for others who might eventually quit.
Fights and Bites
Like humans, not all dogs get along. If dogs feel threatened or simply don’t like each other, they might end up fighting, showing aggression and hurting each other.
At the same time, overwhelmed, overstimulated or fearful pets in an unknown environment might lash out at strangers trying to pet or play with them.
Noise And Disturbance
Having a dog or two in the office can boost morale, leading to increased engagement and productivity, but it can also have the opposite effect.
Even the most well-behaved dog might occasionally bark during meetings or beg for constant attention when there’s work to be done.
What Are Dog-Friendly Alternatives To Bringing Pets To Work?
While a business might be dog-friendly, the offices they lease might not be. Or the majority of employees might be against pet friendly office roaming the workplace.
If you want to retain and recruit your majority pet-loving workforce, there are other ways to support their commitment to their four-legged children without physically allowing animals inside the workplace.
Offer Pet Insurance As An Ancillary Benefit
With more employees delaying having children, their pets are their fur babies and entire worlds.
With that said, bringing up a pet is more expensive than ever. The costs quickly add up from emergency vet visits to prescription food and everything in between. Providing pet insurance to employees might relieve some of that financial pressure.
Subsidised Day Care
A subsidised onsite daycare might help dog parents who can’t afford the high costs of regular dog daycares or pay a sitter.
Although starting day care on the premises might be costly to the business, it benefits employees and allows them to check on the fur children during the workday.
Create Pet-Free Zones
If there are people hesitant about bringing animals to work, they’re likely imagining out-of-control pets running amok, tearing the place up.
Create pet-free zones where coworkers won’t have to interact with animals in the office if they’re afraid, allergic or don’t like dogs.
Criteria For Bringing Pets To Work
Pet-friendly office policies should comprise a set of rules to prevent the workplace from descending into chaos with untrained and unsocialised pups filling the hallways.
Potty Trained
Extremely young puppies and incontinent canines might soil floors and carpets.
Ensure that only potty-trained pets are allowed in the office. They might occasionally have accidents, but they’ll typically let you know when they need to go.
Trained And Well Mannered Dogs
To prevent dog fights, bites, persistent barking and unsocial behaviour, only allow unaggressive, calm and well-trained dogs who can sit quietly for hours without requiring constant attention.
If you're looking for pet friendly office in United States, Office Hub can help you find different types of office spaces. From private offices to shared workplaces, you will find all categories of offices you need. Browse our website today and find the perfect pet friendly office in New York, Los Angeles, and many other cities.
