A study in Britain has found that employees who often bring their dogs to work are 22% more satisfied with their working conditions. Photo: AFP
Bringing pets to work may not be so unusual in the United States and Canada, but it is much less common in other countries. However, several studies have shown that bringing pets to the office can improve the atmosphere, boost productivity and reduce employee stress. All of which could be enough to convince your employer that it’s time your four-legged friend joined you in the office!
While bringing your cat or dog to work may have sounded crazy a decade ago, in some countries, it’s no longer so unusual. In particular in the United States, where for more than 20 years, National Take Your Dog to Work Day has been held in June, encouraging people to bring their four-legged friend along to work! The idea is now making headway in other countries.
Beyond its fun aspect, the trend could have real benefits for employee well-being. According to research conducted by the UK’s University of Lincoln in 2019, employees who often bring their dogs to work are 22% more satisfied with their working conditions.
The study also estimates that owners who work alongside their dogs show greater absorption in their work (33.4%) and increased dedication (16.5%).
Another major argument has emerged since the pandemic. Accustomed to working alongside their furry friends during Covid-19 lockdowns, many pet owners felt heartbroken at the thought of having to go back to the office and leave their faithful companion at home.
In a survey conducted by British company Bark in 2021, more than 70% of dog owners who work from home said that they feared missing their pet when they return to the office, more than those who said the same about their partner (42%) or their children (39%).
Allowing employees to come to work with their pets could therefore be a good option to encourage them to come back to the office more often!
Some sectors, such as health, food or public administrations, may have regulations forbidding the presence of pets on-site. Otherwise, it’s better to check beforehand that this practice complies with your company’s internal regulations, and remember to inform your colleagues.
If any of your co-workers in an open-plan office are allergic or phobic, they might not be happy to see you show up unexpectedly in the office with your furry friend, however cute they may be! – AFP Relaxnews
