Well-being at work: dogs in the workplace
The interaction and bonding between humans and pets, especially dogs and cats, is an interspecies relationship that dates back to prehistoric times. Dogs are considered man's "best friend", emphasizing the depth of the relationship.
The medicinal value of dogs has been the subject of many different studies. The common belief is that dogs have a positive effect on those who come in contact with them. Dog therapy has been shown to be very effective, especially with children, vulnerable people, and the elderly. According to published research, dog owners benefit from this relationship by improving their mental and physical health. Studies have also linked dog ownership to a reduction in depression; many people just benefit from having a dog as a companion. One of the reasons psychological well-being seems to increase when interacting with dogs is the social support function they provide. Studies show that being with a dog lowers the level of cortisol, which is responsible for stress, and increases the level of oxytocin, a hormone that creates feeling of bonding, well-being, and simply love. Additionally, the presence of a dog makes people feel less lonely, less depressed, and more relaxed.
Looking at the facts mentioned above, no wonder that the topic of taking dogs to a workplace has been on the agenda for some time now. Some companies, such as best-recognized and huge corporations such as Amazon, Google, or Apple implemented pet-friendly policies in some of their offices. What are therefore the benefits of taking your dog to the workplace (or having it at home if you work remotely) and why more companies should decide to take this step?
As mentioned at the beginning, having dogs in the office has been shown to reduce stress and make employees feel more relaxed and comfortable. A pet-friendly workplace increases employee satisfaction and improves morale. Such a workplace is more often seen as an additional benefit that can be offered while hiring a candidate.
What is more, dogs are also a common interest that can help promote an atmosphere of teamwork and communication. Fun fact: a study from 2019 showed that employees who bring their dogs to work are seen as friendlier than those who don’t. Bringing dogs to work also provides a significant financial benefit – it eliminates the additional cost of dog grooming services or dog walking for employees who work long hours or commute a considerable distance from home each day. This will certainly be a very big factor influencing employee loyalty.
Allowing dogs into the office can improve the customer's perception of the company. Most customers respond positively when offered the opportunity to interact with an employee's pet, which can help them relax and enjoy their visit to the company.
Last but not least, a pet-friendly office can be a great recruiting tool for potential employees and long-term employee retention. Such a benefit can attract a certain kind of applicants, for example, those who value work-life balance and these are more and more often young people, just entering the job market.
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Unfortunately, every solution and innovation, even this one, has its weaknesses. It is worth remembering that there are people with allergies or those who are simply afraid of dogs. Additionally, a dog can cause damage in a workplace or simply distract employees. The introduction of a pet-friendly policy is certainly not an easy undertaking, it requires long preparations, and proper organization of space and will work only in the case of clearly defined rules. Nevertheless, it is an important issue that every organization should consider. On my behalf, from a very personal point of view – I do recommend working with your dog, and being close to them, as it simply makes your day brighter 😊
Sources:
1. E. Wagner, M. Pina e Cunha, Dogs at the Workplace: A Multiple Case Study, 2019
2. S.S. Hall, D. S. Mills, Taking Dogs Into the Office: A Novel Strategy for Promoting Work Engagement, Commitment and Quality of Life, 2019