It is becoming more and more common to see employees’ pets in the workplace . Both dogs and cats are starting to become more common in the offices of some companies, as it has been shown that they have a lot of benefits for employees .
Pet-friendly offices have long been common in the United States, and more and more candidates are now looking for jobs that allow them to work in a pet-friendly environment. In Spain, there are still few companies that allow it, but it is becoming more and more normal. Do you dare to bring your pet to work ?
Taking your dog or cat to work is trendy
Many companies are making it normal to bring pets to work to improve employee performance . The demand for companies that allow pets is increasing and, according to a study by Live Career , pet admission policies are an essential criterion for candidates to accept or not to work for a company.
The results of that study were as follows:
- 94 % of respondents supported the idea of allowing pets in the office .
- 76 % of respondents reported that working alongside pets was a positive experience .
- 51 % of respondents saw their relationship with their coworkers increase .
- 33 % of respondents confirmed that the work environment was more relaxed .
- 28 % of respondents felt a reduction in stress .
- 49 % of respondents admitted that a pet-friendly work environment would convince them to accept a job .
- 46 % of respondents said they would be more likely to recommend a job to a friend if pets were allowed in the workplace.
- 41 % of respondents acknowledged that having pets in the office would contribute to their feeling of satisfaction .
Some companies that are pioneers in allowing pets in the work environment and accepting pet-friendly offices are Google , Airbnb , Etsy , Ben & Jerry’s , Salesforce and Eventbrite , among others.
At Tiendanimal we also work with our pets
Of course, both in Tiendanimal stores and offices we allow and are in favor of the presence of pets and we love sharing our workspace with them!
And to show off, we want to introduce you to some of the furry friends who accompany us every day and make our day much more enjoyable:
OLGA
- Age : 6 years old
- Position : Marketing Assistant
- Favorite part of going to the office : Emptying trash cans to make them “clean” and stealing snack samples
BLUE
- Age : 2 and a half years
- Position : CRM Tiendanimal
- What do you like most about going to the office ? Going to any place in the office where you get a little attention.
Is there a Take Your Dog to Work Day on the calendar?
In 1996, the World Pet Sitters Organization established a day in the United Kingdom to take your dog to work to celebrate the company that a dog gives its owner in the workplace, as well as to encourage animal adoptions and the creation of rescue groups .
Take Your Dog to Work Day was established in the United States in 1999 and, to this day, is a day that invites employees to introduce their dogs to their colleagues on the last Friday in June to encourage them to adopt a pet.
Today, it is usually celebrated on June 21st to raise awareness among companies about allowing employees to bring their pets to the office in order to improve their productivity, reduce stress levels and stimulate creativity, as well as promoting animal adoptions.
What advantages do cats or dogs bring to the office?
The benefits of bringing pets to work and working alongside them are countless, starting with the increase in productivity , which is why more and more companies are opting for this type of work.
We have already mentioned other benefits of taking your cat or dog to the office, and they are:
- The increase in creativity .
- Stress reduction .
- Improving relationships with colleagues.
- Decreased feelings of guilt about leaving your pet alone at home.
- The increase in self-esteem from bringing the animal to the office.
- Improving the animal’s sense of well-being.
Tips for working with your pet in the office
Of course, not everything is suitable for going to work with your pet. Don’t forget that the office is your workplace , not your home or your dog’s play area, so the most important thing is that your pet knows how to behave with other animals, people and in places that are not your private home.
If your dog doesn’t get along well with people, barks at strangers or tends to cry when uncomfortable, it is not advisable to bring your dog to the office.
Remember that you are not on a walk, but rather going to work, which is a good reason why it should not bother you or your colleagues.
No matter how pet friendly the company is, the office is not equipped for animals to live in , so don’t forget their food and water bowls along with their kibble or food.
Also, ask if it is possible for you to bring a small bed for him and where he will be the least disturbed.
While it’s beneficial for both you and your coworkers to bring your dog to work, be aware that not everyone may be comfortable with the presence of furry friends . Talk to your coworkers before you bring your pet to be aware of whether their presence in the office will do more harm than good.
Don’t forget to bring your pet’s favorite toys to the office to prevent them from getting bored and becoming annoying. Also, bring enough bags to collect their droppings and some cleaning products in case they have an accident .
Lastly, and most importantly, make sure your company allows pets in its offices or if this is only possible on certain days of the week.
If you’ve already decided and your company is pet friendly, don’t wait any longer! Let your furry friend accompany you to work and you’ll see all the benefits in physical and mental health that you both can obtain. Give this work model a chance and enjoy the company of your pet. You’ll love spending more time together!
