Debate: Pet-friendly workplaces should be considered
A little tail wagging never hurt nobody
There should be pet-friendly policies in workplaces. (Shutterstock/Kristina Holovach)
What if you looked down and your own pet pal trotted beside you to the office, ready to take on the workday alongside you.
It would be great for a group of people and their pets to come together. Many might find an increase in work quality and satisfaction if there is more consideration of this idea. We would only need to ensure properly trained animals fit the behaviour that the environment requires.
A recent survey from PetSafe found that 51 per cent of British Columbians supported pets being brought into the workplace. Which has caused a lot of debates on whether this is the right thing to consider.
When pandemic restrictions were lifted and people were told to return to the office, many were upset they had to leave their pets at home. Besides, what makes things less stressful and more enjoyable? Pets.
There are many studies on the benefits of animals to our mental health. This could be applied to bringing your pet to work. Not only can having your four-legged friend improve mental wellness, but could also boost the morale of the workplace environment, reduce high stress levels, improve job motivation and satisfaction, and promote physical activity as well as socialization amongst coworkers.
There is nothing easier than starting a conversation over a shared bond of the mischief your furry pals may get up to when at home. Bonding with coworkers will be a breeze, especially if you can hit up the dog park or take a walk during lunch together.
Of course, with the possibility of some organizations allowing a pet-friendly workplace, there should be some rules to make sure people feel safe and comfortable.
If you are bringing a pet to work, they must be potty trained and fully vaccinated to come into the office. The dog and cat’s well-being should be looked after to avoid putting itself, coworkers, or other pets at risk. Train them properly so risks of biting, jumping, or having to run away from Carol’s cat won’t cause conflict or tension in the office.
While there are some people who may be allergic or dislike animals, which should be considered if implementing a pet-friendly workplace policy, pets can also help lower levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress. This is especially important considering mental health issues have increased throughout the pandemic.
Some places already allow pets at work, like Eventbrite offices and Google — although Google favors dogs over other pets.
A pet-friendly policy can be done, there are already pet policies that exist to borrow ideas from, so let’s make this a common practice for the employee and pet benefit.
