By Emma Di Salvo
Finding the motivation to get up in the morning and go to work can be frustrating. Long hours and meeting deadlines mean our workspace isn’t always the most relaxing place on Earth or exciting! But what if you could bring your beloved furbaby to work and interact with your colleagues’ fluffy family members, too? As an animal lover, that would have me bouncing into work every day!
With an increasing number of companies offering pet-friendly workplaces, this is no longer just a dream. Let’s take a look at how animals impact work environments.
The Pros
Pet-friendly workplaces might be a relatively new concept for some, but we may see it much more in the future. Not only does the idea appeal to animal lovers, but it’s also a good marketing strategy for companies. Who doesn’t want to work somewhere where they can pet a pooch or cuddle a kitty while sorting through files? It sounds amazing!
Research suggests that being able to take your best friend into the office reduces stress, improves morale and boosts social interaction. It’s no secret that people are becoming more stressed, anxious and depressed than ever before. For many people, interacting with their colleagues and not having it be all about work feels encouraging and builds strong bonds.
From my experience, I feel most relaxed, happy and safe when cuddled up with my furbabies. So, since stroking or petting an animal is proven to significantly reduce stress and promote feelings of calm and overall well-being, you have the recipe for a happier office.
The Cons
A study conducted in 2021 found that although there are many benefits to pet-friendly work environments, there are also some downsides. Firstly, not everyone likes animals. Shocking, I know!
For them, having a cat saunter across their desk while they’re trying to concentrate on a task isn’t cute—it’s annoying. And what about people who are allergic? Do they suffer in silence while the rest of us are having the time of our lives?
Another factor to consider is responsibility. Who’s going to clean up after the animals? Yes, they’re lovely, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the mess pets inevitably create. Dogs in the workplace bring a whole set of complications when you consider unwanted accidents and the fact that they need to be walked regularly. And even though I love cats, they can cause chaos by knocking things over!
With all these extra jobs that need planning and delegating, how much actual work can people get done?! (If it were me….none!)
Success Stories…?
While it may be a new concept for some, companies such as Google, Amazon and Ben & Jerry’s have welcomed pets to the office for a while. Employees can take their beloved pooch to work daily, enjoying the freedom to play with them during their downtime and getting to know other dogs and their owners anytime during office hours.
Some employees have gotten so used to this unique way of working that being apart from their forever friends feels unsettling and somewhat traumatic. For me, this is concerning. Being so attached to your pet to the point where you cannot spend time away from them doesn’t feel healthy, especially for those with dependency issues.
While it might seem positive and helpful to be with your pet all the time, as they bring a sense of comfort, being overly attached to a person or animal might make people become less self-reliant and feel like they’re losing their independence.
Also, I can only imagine the heartbreak if one of the animals should die. It won’t just affect the owner; everyone in that office who has formed a bond with them will be distraught. Does everyone get time off to grieve? Again, this doesn’t sound too great for productivity!
Creating Pet-Friendly Workplaces
I really love the idea of pet-friendly workplaces. There must be something to it if more and more companies are jumping on board. Creating a pet-friendly workspace that is both enjoyable and productive takes thought and organisation. And it won’t work for every setting.
Can you imagine dogs at Starbucks?! No thanks.
Firstly, there needs to be a well-thought-out policy. Some sort of handbook explaining the rules and guidelines for people who bring their pets to work. Secondly, the office space has to be designed with pets in mind. For example, having a carpet might not be the best idea!
Thirdly, pet-friendly companies should consider whether they need to introduce extra perks such as pet bereavement days, pet adoption days and pet-friendly company events. If a company is willing to do all this, I say yes to pets at work!
The move to pet-friendly work environments is not going away any time soon. What do you think about having pets at work? A good idea or a disaster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!