Sheakley Updates

Pets in the Workplace

Ella Baker
pets in the workplace
Reading time 4 Mins
Published on Oct 17
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An increasingly common perk, allowing pets in the workplace has led to a rise in the arguments both for and against their presence there. With approximately 60% of Americans owning a pet, it shouldn’t be surprising that more small and medium-size businesses have begun the cultural shift toward permitting pets in the workplace. Join us as we explore the pros and cons of pets in the workplace.

The pros

Animals have been shown to reduce stress, and their presence in the office can make employees more relaxed and comfortable. Employees in pet-friendly workplaces also tend to report increased satisfaction and improved morale. Since animals can be a common point of interest, they also help promote teamwork and communication via the social interaction that often follows their presence.

Pet-friendly office policy can also be a great recruiting and retention tool. Since employees don’t have to rush home to let the dog out at the end of the day, they tend to work longer hours when allowed to bring their pets along for the workday. Bringing pets to work can also pose a significant financial benefit for employees who typically pay for doggie daycare or dog walking services while they’re away at work.

Visitors and customers to offices with pets also tend to have a more positive view of the company when offered the opportunity to interact with the pets. Not only will your business seem more progressive and forward thinking, but you’ll also present a softer image and put your customers and other visitors at ease during their visits to your office.

The cons

Unfortunately, all the attention that gets shown to pets can also create quite a distraction. Employees may spend time gathered around pets and chatting when they should be at their desks working. Dogs create additional distractions because they need to go outside for walks and bathroom breaks. Whining and barking can also create disturbances and noise issues, especially if you share a building with other employers.

While most pets can be well-behaved in the office, accidents can and will happen. From bathroom accidents to chewing, pets can cause damage to office equipment and furnishings. There are also legal and insurance issues to consider. You’ll need to discuss with your insurance carrier and attorney your legal liability if a pet bites or trips an employee, customer, or other visitors while on company property.

Additionally, you’re bound to have at least one or two employees, customers, or visitors who cannot be around animals due to allergies or phobias about being around certain types of animals. Special pet-free zones of the office should be created for those who don’t enjoy the presence of pets as much as others.

Policy matters

If you decide to allow pets in the office, you’ll want to have a well-written policy to cover this benefit. While policies vary from company to company, in general your policy should cover: what types of pets are allowed in the office; what days or the frequency with which pets may visit the office; leashing and containment policies; and consequences for misbehavior, including probation and banning from the office.

Let Sheakley help

With the changing values and priorities of today’s workforce, non-traditional benefits like allowing pets in the office can be a game changer for many companies. Sheakley’s Human Resources experts can help you decide if offering this out-of-the-box benefit to your employees is a good idea and help you draft a policy to ensure that every member of your staff understands the limitations and potential consequences of a pet-friendly office.

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