Pets in the Workplace

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Permalink Reply by Paul Jacobs on July 8, 2009 at 14:58

Hey Graeme - I will complete your survey. This may be of interest - Simply Hired conducted a survey a few years ago of dog owners in the United States. Their results revealed some very interesting stats:

49% said they would switch jobs (WOW!)
66% said they would work longer hours and not feel so pressured to race home and walk their family member
55% said they would commute a greater distance
32% said they would take a 5% salary reduction
11% said they would take a 10% salary reduction

Aren't these two fur balls cute?

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Permalink Reply by Graeme Harre on July 8, 2009 at 15:03

Wow, had no idea it might really be the swing vote. Happy to craft a more solid survey on the topic if people have the interest. Maybe, Recruitment 2.0 might consider it and teh results of general interest to members.

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Permalink Reply by Simone Baird on July 9, 2009 at 13:44

Whilst I believe in the theory behind bringing your pets to work, the reality for me would be something different. I am one of those painfully protective "mums" who would be wanting to keep any eye on my babies all day to make sure they weren't being bullied and when they went into their relax time i'd be wanting to have cuddles!

No for me I am best to come to work without my "kids" and work hard so I can go home at night and enjoy their company.

And I wonder why people at work call me the crazy cat lady!

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Permalink Reply by Eion Robb on July 9, 2009 at 12:47

After suffering through two years of working in an office with animals, I have to say it caused me excessive stress:
* The animals, while house-trained, defecated and urinated on almost every surface, mainly chairs and in the middle of carpeted hallways. Arriving to a wet, smelly office is not fun.
* Moving away from the animals did not stop my allergies as the air conditioning blew animal smell throughout the building.
* Because the animals were bored, they liked to chew and wrestle with things including important documents and computer cords.

The only time I believe animals should be allowed in the workplace is if they are 'working dogs' for blind people.

I do enjoy animals and have several at my home.


Oh, just noticed your survey which I'll do now :)

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Permalink Reply by Paul Jacobs on July 9, 2009 at 13:40

Hey Eion - were the animals domestic animals or farm / zoo animals (eg cows, sheep, horses, monkeys, lions, zebras, snakes)? What you say are all very valid points / considerations. Did you have some guidelines or a policy for animals in the workplace?

This from Google's dog policy:
"Aggressive behavior, such as growling, barking, chasing or biting, is unacceptable and the pet will have to be taken home on the first complaint. Employees with allergic reactions to dogs may ask the owner to refrain from bringing the dog to the workplace if the presence of the dogs makes it difficult for the allergic employee to work. Pets with evidence of fleas will be asked to go home until the problem has been alleviated. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after pets at all times."

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Permalink Reply by Graeme Harre on July 9, 2009 at 14:57

I like that policy Paul. We've had a chat here and have decided that any decisoin made to have pets in the workplace must be followed by policy and procedure akin to the google dog policy. Clearly there are differences between employees and pets but I can see considerations needing to be made for pets that are in fact similar to employees. Your google statement touches on disputes, health & safety, termination on medical grounds. It seems as with employees pets and employers may both benefit from a contract.

I'd not want to have to address issue of abandonment, sick leave, indeminity, or sick leave for pets or employees effected by pets breach of contract.

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Permalink Reply by Eion Robb on July 9, 2009 at 17:08

My "animals" were dogs, not too dissimilar looking to the "two fur balls" in your pic.

Unfortunately, they belonged to the boss so we were 'unable' to complain about them.


I like Graeme's idea that bringing pets to work should be a contract thing. Is hygiene part of standard contracts? Though the "taken home on the first complaint" bit is hard for us non-confrontational types: wouldn't be good for morale if one person asked for a large office's favourite pet to go home, unless it was an anonymous complaint.

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Permalink Reply by Anney Wyner on July 9, 2009 at 22:03

Up until 3 weeks ago my dog was part of the company line up and very much part of the London digital scene for 10 years. Having him here was great for diffusing the tense times as a wag and a plead to play ball would always take the stress down a few notches. Plus, we were perceived by clients and candidates alike as being a different kind of agency, one with a human touch. Challenges only arise if they are not trained or socialised enough for a busy environment (that's the animals not employees!) I would say there are more advantages than not. Mine alas, has now retired to the country as city life was getting too much for him. He is missed by everyone who knew him.

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Permalink Reply by Graeme Harre on July 10, 2009 at 9:01

Pets in the workplace survey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. http://s.gofetchsurveys.com/survey.aspx?id=h33yrry2

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Permalink Reply by Graeme Harre on July 13, 2009 at 12:11

I'll place the results and feedback to the Pets in the Workplace survey I ran here tomorrow. Want to have a say, do the survey? GoFetch Survey of Pets on the Workplace

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Permalink Reply by Graeme Harre on July 15, 2009 at 16:00

Pets in the Workplace Survey Results.

It was a short survey, not one designed with rigour, or with a high response rate. Here is what you are saying about pets in the wrokplace and quality of workplace improvements.

50% are allowed pets in the workplace.

Barriers to introducing pets are sited as;

• Child friendliness
• Allergies
• Building Compliance
• Customer perceptions
• No place for pets
• Distractions eg barking
• Toilet arrangements
• Attention requirements

When asked "What workplace changes have you made, experienced or been involved in that have improved the quality of the workplace such that stress levels were measurable lower and productivity increased?", you referenced;

• Re-arranging seating for personal needs
• Fruit and snacks
• In office social Sports
• Text Message friendly
• Socialising

There you have it. Any thoughts or comments from the leaders of thought?

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Permalink Reply by Paul Jacobs on July 15, 2009 at 16:50

Thanks Graeme for conducting the survey.

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