We love our dogs and other pets for the unconditional love, companionship, and joy they provide at home. Our canine friends become a source of comfort if we’re lonely and they can ease the stress on the most hectic of days. It’s no wonder some employers have also long welcomed dogs into the workplace. These include Google, Etsy, Salesforce, Ticketmaster, and Amazon, which all have dog-friendly workplaces. However, the workplace isn’t the same as the home, so how do our dogs fit into the picture? This article explains the potential advantages of allowing dogs in the workplace. It also explores how companies might be able to implement effective dog-friendly policies for the best possible outcomes.

Advantages of allowing employees to bring dogs to work

Why do companies allow employees to bring their dogs to work? Dog-friendly policies can, in fact, help address a lot of common business challenges and support companies in achieving their goals.

1. Reduce stress

Dogs tend to be fun-loving, gregarious personalities, and their presence can bring a lot of joy, laughter, and humour. In many cases, these positive emotions and traits can counter stress, which can in turn boost morale as well as mental and physical wellbeing. In fact, simply petting a dog lowers your cortisol (a stress hormone) levels and boosts oxytocin levels (a feel-good hormone). Having a canine friend at work could ease stress levels, as you’ll have an always friendly presence ready to play during your time-outs. Whether it’s taking five minutes to pet a colleague’s dog, play with your own dog, or take your dog around the block for a short walk, dogs give you an excuse and opportunity to destress and clear your head.

2. Boost morale

Dogs at work could boost morale among the whole team. The playful nature of dogs brings a bit of levity and fun to the seriousness of work, thereby improving the social atmosphere. The presence of dogs can, for some, give team members more opportunities to interact in a positive way. This could be sitting on the floor with colleagues to play with your dog for a few minutes as you take a breather. Watching dogs dash around the office or snooze at your feet, and taking time-outs with a few cuddles and tug-of-war games can make the office atmosphere more relaxed. It can make the space more collegial, upbeat, and joyful - and these, in turn, could support higher morale. Morale can then have positive flow-on impacts for productivity and workplace culture.

3. Workplace culture and communication

Dogs in the workplace could have a positive impact on workplace culture. This could occur by boosting satisfaction, reducing stress, and improving collegiality. The shared experience of having dogs in the workplace, playing with them, and giving them affection can lead to stronger team relationships. In large enterprises, it can enhance cross-departmental networks where staff members might have fewer opportunities to interact on a day-to-day basis. These elements can enhance communication, create stronger bonds between colleagues, and boost trust, which then further improve workplace culture.

Additionally, dogs in the workplace can give rise to more opportunities for bonding with colleagues. Stopping to pet a cute dog and chatting for a few minutes can give rise to conversations that seed new ideas about projects and so enhance communication and collaboration.

4. Improve productivity

Rather than posing a distraction, dogs in the workplace, in fact, can increase productivity. Petting dogs leads to the release of feel-good hormones that relieve stress, and then support more productive outcomes for employees. In addition, their presence reminds employees to take breaks, especially from stressful projects. Going for walks with your dog, taking a playful break by playing catch with a canine friend, or just sitting and relaxing for a while can be beneficial for staff members. Improved communication and trust between team members can also have a positive effect on productivity. These encounters can help diffuse tension and offer much-needed comfort and relaxation when the pressure is too high. All of these could lead to productivity gains for employees.

5. Employee attendance

Allowing dogs in the workplace could have a positive impact on employee attendance. This could be, for instance, due to the physical and mental wellbeing benefits for employees, which could reduce sick days and absenteeism. In addition, dogs in the workplace can also have a positive impact on the collective wellbeing of organisational members. Similarly, dogs can provide social support or a feeling of being cared for, which can be beneficial for employees with mental illness and other health issues. Alternatively, employees can avoid having to go home in the middle of the day to feed their fur babies.

Furthermore, allowing your staff to get away from their desks for walks with their dogs during breaks can also promote good health. Taking 10 minutes to walk your dog gives you an opportunity to get the blood pumping, get some fresh air, and clear your head. You can then come back refreshed and energised for more work. Ultimately, all of these could translate to a more productive workplace and improved bottom line for your business.

6. Attract and retain talent

If you’re an employer, introducing a dog-friendly policy to your workplace could see you attracting and retaining the talent you’re looking for. To illustrate, it could form part of your employer branding that competitors find harder to copy. Younger generations like millennials and Gen Z could be especially drawn to workplaces with pet-friendly practices as these younger staff members could be more likely, in many cases, to decide not to have children and place more importance on their fur babies instead.

7. Client retention

Equally important, dogs at the workplace could even boost client retention. If you welcome clients on site, having a few furry friends around could enhance your brand and reputation, by demonstrating how your business embraces novel policies that support employee wellbeing and productivity. They can be a welcoming presence and help break the ice with new clients. The presence of dogs can make your workplace and office culture seem more friendly, approachable, and positive.

8. Beneficial for your dog too

Having your dog at work could be good for your dog too. If you live alone, instead of staying at home alone all day waiting for you to come home, your dog can spend more time with you. For dogs with separation anxiety, spending a few days a week at the office with you could alleviate their stress. Also, your dog has an opportunity to interact with other people and dogs, which can enrich their day and allow them to be properly socialised.

Dog-friendly workplaces: tips for success

So what can companies do to ensure their canine-friendly arrangements are carried out the right way?

• Work environment and pet safety - Is your work environment suitable for dogs? Factory settings and other noisy, dusty places could be inappropriate for dogs. Electrical cables and cords can also pose risks for dogs. In addition, you might need to invest in a risk assessment of different areas and some pet-proofing measures for the workplace before allowing employees to bring their dogs.

• Foods - In addition, foods dangerous to dogs like grapes, chocolate, and cooked bones shouldn’t be left around or accessible, such as in open rubbish bins. Provide guidance to employees on what dogs shouldn’t be fed.

• Trained and microchipped - Is the dog trained and microchipped? It’s a good idea to ask employees to bring in their dog only if he/she is toilet trained and microchipped.

• Health - Dogs should be healthy, up to date with their vaccinations, and pose no risk in terms of spreading diseases and infections. It could be helpful to offer a checklist of criteria to deem which dogs are suitable for the workplace.

• Aggressive dogs - Dogs should only be allowed if they’re not aggressive. Ideally, they should have been socialised and have a stable temperament. Noisy, easily agitated dogs can be disruptive rather than conducive to workplace culture and productivity.

• Allergies and other issues - Are there employees with allergies to dogs? Check allowing dogs won’t adversely affect the health of your staff. Air filters and no-go zones for your canine friends could be ways to help those with allergies falling short of not allowing dogs in the workplace.

• Hygiene - Have policies that help ensure hygiene standards. For example, you could require dog bedding and blankets to be regularly cleaned.

• Agreement - Additionally, is everyone on board with having an open-door policy towards dogs? You’ll want every team member to be okay with the idea as otherwise, it could be a source of conflict and disagreement.

• Supervision - Moreover, encourage employees to supervise their dog to prevent he/she escaping and getting lost.

• Other pets - Dogs are probably the most popular pet, but what about welcoming other types of pets into your workplace? Cats, birds, rabbits, and guinea pigs are other pets that could be easily welcomed into your office.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests dogs aren’t only wonderful additions to our homes but can also be excellent companions for teams in the workplace. Dogs can alleviate stress, drive higher morale, and improve communication and culture. Their presence could lead to higher productivity and enhance staff attendance levels. Allowing dogs in your workplace could even enable you to attract and retain top talent - and make your business a more welcoming and memorable place for customers. What’s more, your employees’ dogs are likely to enjoy the experience and benefit from having more time with their owners and being socialised. As long as your workplace implements a policy that involves employee feedback and risk-management measures, you could reap all these benefits for your teams and business with a welcome-dog policy.