Have you ever been somewhere you would normally never expect to see a dog, and when one suddenly appears it feels like the most welcoming surprise of your day? At that moment, your mind clears, your spirits lift, and you stop in your tracks as you direct a childlike grin toward the dog and ponder why it might be there and if it’s okay to dig your fingers behind its ears.
Because of reactions like that, it commonly crosses the minds of dog owners everywhere that they should share this source of joy with their team at work. Well, not everyone has such an uplifting experience when they unexpectedly encounter a dog. Whether a person has severe pet allergies or an ingrained fear of dogs, they may react with anxiety or anger. “Why is a dog here?”
The benefits of having a dog co-occupy a workspace with humans are many. As mentioned above, the happy-go-lucky energy of a dog can improve the mood in a tense environment and boost a team’s morale. A calm, relaxed dog can serve as a good example to workers by demonstrating even-tempered behavior that reduces stress. Having a dog in the room also creates a new opportunity to socialize with co-workers and awaken otherwise dormant relationships. For the pet owner, this provides relief from concerns about the dog’s well being while left home alone. Having a dog at work also encourages midday breaks to get outside for a walk, which can rest the mind and keep work performance fresh throughout the day.
While some view dogs in the workplace as a benefit, people who are unfamiliar with or not so fond of dogs may prefer they be left at home. Along with allergy symptoms or dog-related anxiety, some dogs can leave other undesirable marks. Shedding dogs have a knack for sticking their fur to any fibrous surface including carpet, furniture, and articles of clothing. Dog owners who neglect to gather up loose fur, or wipe away rogue drool, could alienate themselves. If a dog has a flatulence problem or experiences a digestive accident, everyone close by will know, and a restless dog repeatedly visiting co-workers and garbage cans might be seen as a nuisance. These factors can leave an unfavorable impression of the business on visiting customers, too.
A decision on whether or not dogs should be welcomed in the workplace must be reached through open communication with everyone. Concerns should be raised and a policy agreed upon by the entire team. Here are some restrictions a company could consider implementing:
- Only mellow, well-mannered dogs are allowed
- Only healthy dogs current on their vaccinations are allowed
- Only on designated days are dogs allowed
- Any messes left by a dog must be cleaned up right away by its owner
- Any employee has the right to request dogs be disallowed
Viewpoints on integrating canine companions into social settings can vary, and the responsibility ultimately falls on the dog owners to be mindful of how their pets are affecting those around them. If you would like to bring your dog with you to work, look into it. The idea may not be as crazy as you think.
Share some stories in the comments area about positive and negative experiences you’ve encountered with a dog joining your workplace. What happened exactly and how did it all pan out?
