The animal lovers among us wake up bright and energetic on “Bring Your Pets to Work” day. The thought of having your loving and comforting pet by your side all day makes everything seem less stressful. Even a client presentation scheduled for the afternoon doesn’t seem shocking. After all, your pet will be there to lick your worries away.
In what can only be described as a paw-some business trend, modern workplaces are considering allowing office animals.
How Do Office Pets Improve Productivity?
Recently, some Australian workplaces tried this idea in partnership with CANA or Companion Animal Network Australia. Workers reported that working with animal companions made things relaxing and enjoyable. It also gave new recruits a chance to talk to new people. Few can resist the cuteness and innocence of hugs and licks, especially on difficult days.
In different workplaces, some workers may need the help of guide animals. For example, employees with vision problems can benefit from a guide dog. Similarly, service dogs can help workers with conditions like Down’s Syndrome.
This unique strategy can be useful in businesses where employees are under daily stress and frustration. Fields such as finance, mental health counseling, and health care can be very profitable. Implementing such a policy will require planning and foresight.
Prioritizing Health and Hygiene
Regular office cleaning may not be enough to implement a pet-friendly workplace policy. Pets like dogs and cats can shed a lot of hair every day. Some workers may be allergic to these animals, leading to problems such as nasal congestion and itchy skin.
Dealing with pet waste is another challenge, especially since some pets may not be toilet trained. Doing the corresponding work and being accountable for the acquisition and disposal is the right way. However, they may miss some places if their work day is busy (and the pet is busy too!).
As a business owner, you can consider pet waste disposal to keep the office thoroughly clean and germ-free. Booking a professional service will keep the area clean. It will reassure employees that you understand their health and wellness needs.
Scoop Soldiers notes that deodorizing or deodorizing alone will not eliminate the risk of bacteria and viruses from waste. Only cleanliness will remove viruses such as Feline Herpesvirus or Canine Parvovirus. Businesses should ensure that the sanitizing process uses pet-friendly and eco-friendly materials.
Only Good Boys and Girls: Exploring Pet Behavior
For a pet-friendly workplace policy to be successful, business leaders must take steps to ensure the safety and comfort of employees.
While pets may be well-behaved at home, they may be uncomfortable or hostile in a crowded environment. Unruly pet behavior can be a hindrance to employee productivity. It can also cause accidents and injuries.
The easiest way to deal with this is to have honest conversations with employees who wish to bring their colleagues to the office. They must be responsible for their pet’s behavior as they will understand it better. For example, some dog breeds, such as Labradors, are generally friendly. However, others, such as American Bulldogs, can be very fearful of strangers.
The policy should include acceptable behavior and interactions with pets. For example, some cats may not like petting by strangers and may react. Also, you don’t want cuteness to eat up precious hours of someone! Keeping a designated area for playtime can be a good thing.
Inclusion in Workplace Pet Policies
Along with engagement among employees, business leaders will need a similar approach to pets that spend time at work. For example, cats and dogs are unlikely to cause resistance among non-pet owners. However, many workers may object to exotic pets such as spiders.
While writing the policy, check your employees’ pet ownership. Ideally, you can list which pets are allowed on certain days of the week. It can help to make a list so that there is only a certain number of pets in the office in one day. The policy should also provide details on pets that are not allowed on the premises, such as rabbits or hamsters.
Businesses compete on the edge of innovation and technology. At this time, emphasizing the human values of love and friendship can give your company an edge. Employees who use animal boarding facilities may also receive financial benefits from this policy.
Besides improving the morale of current employees, it can also be a talking point during recruitment. A new Empowerment study found that spending more time with pets is a priority for Gen Z. About 31% of Gen Zers prioritize time with their four-legged companions over a higher salary. About 41% are comfortable going back to the office if their pet can accompany them.
As pet ownership rates increase around the world, allowing animals to join their humans at work makes good sense. A goal like this not only helps the people involved but also the animals. They can say goodbye to long days alone at home, waiting for their owners to return. Instead, they can feel valued by offering the gift of their friendship and love. It is a two-way street.
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