Pets In The Workplace
Over the weekend, I saw a segment on Today Weekend Edition which must have been filler leftover from their show on “Take Your Dog To Work Week” back in June. However, I was attracted to the story because it focused on workplaces that are pet-friendly all year round, not just one day a year.
According to this national poll of working Americans 18 years of age and over, nearly one in five U.S. companies allows pets at work. And, a majority of those polled believe there are benefits to having pets at work such as relieving stress, improving relationships with coworkers, making for a happier workforce and creating a happier work environment.
According to the survey:
- 55 million Americans believe having pets in the workplace leads to a more creative environment
- 53 million believe having pets in the workplace decreases absenteeism
- 50 million believe having pets in the workplace helps co-workers get along better
- 38 million believe having pets in the workplace creates a more productive work environment
- 32 million believe having pets in the workplace decreases smoking in the workplace
- 37 million believe having pets in the workplace helps improve the relationship between managers and their employees
- And, 46 million people who bring their pets to the workplace work longer hours! [APPMA]
And I found this at the San Fransisco SPCA’s site:
A pet-friendly workplace is a cost-free benefit that improves morale and productivity, reduces absenteeism and contributes to a more creative work environment. It’s also an effective recruitment and retention tool.
An American Pet Products Manufacturers Association survey of businesses allowing pets in the workplace confirmed the benefits:
- 73 percent of the companies surveyed said pets create a more productive work environment.
- 27 percent reported a decrease in employee absenteeism.
- 73 percent indicated pets led to a more productive work environment.
- 96 percent said pets created positive work relations.
- 58 percent of employees stayed late with pets in the office.
Half of all American households have at least one dog or cat - pets they treat as family members. A pet-friendly policy is a logical component of a comprehensive program to help employees maintain work-life balance. Allowing pets in the workplace helps reduce stress and anxiety. Employees don’t have to worry or feel guilty about leaving their pet home alone. They aren’t under pressure to rush home and walk their dog at the end of the day.
The benefits of welcoming pets at work aren’t limited to dog owners. Businesses that have a pet-friendly policy say it improves the atmosphere for all employees, especially at companies where people work long hours or sit at a computer all day. With pets on the premises, employees are encouraged to take a break once in while to play with one of the office dogs. It’s a stress reliever and morale-booster for everyone. [SF/SPCA]
And in case you’re wondering how to handle all of those pesky details like health restrictions…
The American Humane Association recommends that companies let people bring their pets to work at least once a week,
“We believe it is healthier for the employees, it lowers absenteeism and the animals benefit as well,” says Bill Torgerson of the Humane Association.
In San Rafael, Calif., the software company Autodesk boasts hundreds of dogs at its headquarters. Human resources manager Denise Harvey estimates that a quarter of the company’s 1,500 employees bring their dogs to work with them.
“We have so many it’s hard to count,” she says.
Autodesk keeps pooper-scoopers and doggie treats at its reception desk. And to ensure the four-legged friends don’t overstay their welcome, it has added rules to the company handbook. The rules include keeping dogs on leashes and out of the bathrooms, meetings and eating areas.
“We have a three-strikes policy. If owners violate our rules, they will lose the privilege to bring their pets here,” Harvey says.
Harvey says the dogs have become an important part of Autodesk’s culture.
“We think it’s a great part of the work-life balance,” she says.
Of course, there have been some problems with the dogs, but overall they have been pretty minimal, Harvey says.
“We had one situation where a dog had a loud cough that created a disturbing sound,” she said. “But we do our best to accommodate whatever needs may arise.”
That may include accommodating employees who are allergic to the animals or even worse — animals that have (gulp) accidents.
“We’ve definitely had a few accidents,” she says. “I remember walking by watching a dog owner scrubbing the floor … but the owners have always been very good about cleaning up.”
[…]
Eileen Keriber, the Business Manager at Rockwell Group, agrees that the dogs are a distraction, but she says they’re a good one.
“I think having such lovable critters around keeps us honest and helps keep the humor and perspective in a stressful job. If I have a rough day/meeting/call, I just play with a dog for a minute, or go to the dog park across the street and am instantly reminded that for every complex stress in life there’s a simple pleasure to balance it with,” she says. [“Buisness Casual Goes to the Dogs” (ABC News)]
What a wonderful workplace! I know I’d feel less of a desire to run out of here at the stroke of 5ish if my Pugly was here with me, curled in my chair or under my desk.
One of the things the Today segment pointed out was that a lot of people in those workplace environments had given up smoking breaks to walk their dogs, which you must admit is a much healthier choice. Plus, they showed cats and dogs and ferrets and all sorts of animals dwelling together in offices and getting along just fine.
tags: pets in the workplace
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on October 11, 2006 at 12:59 pm
tbirdonawire said:
Although our company doesn’t have a pet policy and it’s not the norm to bring in pets, I have been known to bring in my baby bunnies on occassion as well as a baby goat once. The reaction is amazing and when people need a break they come over to my desk and either pet them or just watch them hop around my cube.
on October 11, 2006 at 1:53 pm
n. mallory said:
We were just discussing this at a social gathering last night. One of my co-workers commented that once when she was on sick leave after surgery, she came in to get something from her desk and everyone was comepletely stressed out over some big project. She had her new puppy with her and the puppy was like immediate stress relief for the whole office. Everyone was petting him and relaxed and calm.
on October 31, 2006 at 11:06 am
Devin said:
What a horror for people with allergies…
on February 9, 2007 at 10:03 am
Myths We Hold About Workplace Stress » Brazen Careerist said:
[…] And let’s get something straight about bringing pets to work. Employees love a dog at the office, but there is not evidence that dogs at work decrease stress. There is only evidence that they make people work longer hours at the office. So maybe life would get less stressful for dog lovers if you leave the pets at home, work fewer hours and get a social life. […]