On the Other Paw: Pet-Friendly Policies in the Workplace

Do you feel guilty leaving your dog at home to fend for itself while you are at work? Do you ever wonder what your cat does when unattended during the day? In some organizations, employees are relieved from these worries because they are able to bring their pets to work. These employees work for organizations that have established pet-friendly policies. Such policies have shown benefits worth considering for employees and organizations alike, including:

An Increase in Overall Wellness
The workplace can be very stressful, putting additional physical strain on employees' bodies. According to the Center for Disease Control, simply being around a cat or dog can decrease stress levels, and petting a cat or dog has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Having a pet has also been linked to lower chloresterol and lower triglyceride levels, which minimizes the risk of stroke and heart disease.

Pets in the office encourage employees to do something constructive during their breaks, such as playing a fun game of fetch. Playing with a pet can add an instant boost to an employee's mood, increasing productivity after the break is over. For example, dogs give ample excuse to go for short walks throughout the day. Going for walks increases overall wellness because employees get to enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

A Boost to Employee Engagement
Pets can even have a positive impact on Employee Engagement levels. Having a pet presents an opportunity for employees to socialize and have fun in the workplace, as well as gives pet owners increased flexibility and improved work/life balance. Heightened Employee Engagement levels lead to a number of positive benefits for employers, including improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, reduced absenteeism, greater retention, sustainable growth, increased profit, and an enhanced reputation. Unique benefits, like pet-friendly policies, also help to attract potential employees.

A Friend in the Office
For employees who have offices to themselves or are otherwise isolated at work, having a pet can help decrease loneliness. A pet will automatically boost the employee's mood, as well as help him or her feel more comfortable and connected at work. Pets create a sense of community where all are committed to caring for the well-being of the office pet.

Cost Savings for Employees
Keeping a pet at home during the day can be expensive for the owner. Most dogs cannot stay at home all day without a bathroom break, so their owners end up hiring dog walkers. Dog walkers can cost owners anywhere from eight to 20 dollars a walk. There are also services for cat owners, where a sitter will come over to check that the animal has food and water and clean the litter box. This service tends to cost 15 to 20 dollars per day. Other owners choose to take their pets to a pet daycare facility that can cost anywhere from 20 to 50 dollars per animal per day. Allowing pet owners to bring their pets to the office rather than hiring outside services to care for them can equate to a significant cost savings.

In some workplaces, allowing employees to bring in their cats or dogs may not be feasible due to staff allergies or restrictions by workforce property management. For enivronments where allergies are the problem, having a hypoallergenic office cat or dog may be the perfect solution. Hypoallergenic pets do not tend to cause allergic reactions, either because of a decrease in allergens in pet dander and saliva, or because the animal does not shed.

Organizations can restrict their policies to allow certain types of pets, such as fish or reptiles. These pets require minimal attention and resources, but still allow employees to experience the benefits of animals in the workplace. For example, simply watching a fish swim around its tank tends to produce similar health benefits as having a cat or dog.

When considering pet policies, it is important to think about the organization's culture, environment, and employees. Each organization is different and should have a pet policy that caters to its specific needs. Creating a policy that will allow Fido, Spot, Ginger, Princess, and Bubbles into the office may present some unique challenges, but will ultimately allow both employees and employers to see a number of benefits resulting in positive employee morale.