Tech companies are known for introducing lavish office perks to attract millennial talent, and other industries will soon follow suit. One of the latest perks is the bring-your-pet-to-work policy that seems to be working wonders for employees and employers alike.
Large private employers such as Amazon have even gone the extra mile and created dog relief areas and dog-friendly water fountains in their dog-friendly workspaces.
There are several reasons why dog-friendly workplaces are the way of the future, so let’s take a look at the benefits of bringing your pooch to work.
10 Benefits of Dog-Friendly Workplaces
1. Encourages healthy socialization among employees
Dogs have a way of bringing people together. Complimenting a colleague’s dog is a great way to break the ice and start a conversation.
Pets create an instant shared interest and encourage healthy communication in the workplace. This helps to facilitate team building and encourages openness, trust and honest, which are key elements of a strong team.
Healthy socialization among employees ensures that team members feel comfortable contributing their ideas and unique insights on a project.
2. Improves workplace morale
There’s no denying that corporate jobs are stressful and at times, overwhelming. The good news is that your office doesn’t have to be a soul-sucking pit of despair!
Happy dogs gamboling around the office is a sure-fire way to decrease negativity and improve workplace morale. A dog’s antics are sure to elicit a hearty laugh and help to break the stress and tension of a workday.
3. Increases employee activity and exercise
Research has shown that sitting for long periods increases the risk of heart disease and death. The researchers found that people who spend 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity instead of sitting at their desks, have a 35 percent lower risk of death from any cause.
Allowing employees to take their pet for a walk after their lunch will help improve their health and their mood.
Researchers also found that even 1-5 minutes of activity reduces the risk of death, so employees can simply play a quick game of catch with their pet.
4. Allows greater time dedication to work
Most pet parents get worried about leaving their dogs alone for long hours which is why they are reluctant to work longer hours even as a one-off case.
A pet-friendly office provides added convenience to employees so that they can dedicate more time to their work whenever necessary without worrying about their pet.
5. Reduces stress at the workplace
Having pets in the office helps to reduce employee stress levels without reducing productivity. Several studies have proven that even short interactions with a dog can help to reduce stress levels.
Researchers recorded the levels of cortisol – the stress hormone in test participants. They found that participants’ cortisol levels were lower when they interacted with a dog as compared to their human friends.
Reducing stress plays an important role in developing resilience which enables employees to face challenges with a positive mindset.
6. Increases attractiveness to millennials
Millennials tend to delay traditional life milestones such as marriage, having babies, and buying homes, so it’s no surprise they’re opting for pets rather than parenthood.
Many millennials are uncomfortable leaving their “fur babies” home alone all day, as they know that it can distress their pet and trigger separation anxiety. Millennials are the largest generation in the US workforce, as well as the largest generation of pet owners, which is why a perk like allowing pets in the workplace goes a long way.
7. Improves retention
Dog-friendly workplaces are becoming more common, but it’s still not the norm. This means that employees who prefer to bring their pets to work on a daily basis are not likely to move to another company that does not offer this perk.
8. Improves company culture
Company culture is important as it has a tremendous impact on an employee’s job experience and can result in a high level of job satisfaction and long-term employment. Allowing dogs in the workplace improves office atmosphere and provides a positive company culture where employees are more motivated to come to work.
9. Ensures a good work-life balance
In our fast-paced competitive world, it’s not easy to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Allowing employees to bring their dogs to work allows them to spend more time with their pets. This enables greater bonding and nurtures their relationships with their pets.
10. Boosts productivity
Employers fear that dogs in the workplace will cause a distraction and decrease productivity. While there may be a short period of adjustment, research indicates that the long-term benefits of a dog-friendly office environment will actually help boost productivity. This is largely because it reduces work-based stress, which increases motivation and performance and reduces absenteeism.
There’s no denying that a dog-friendly workplace is a win-win-win for employers, employees, and their dogs, and we’re sure to see more of it in the future.
What do you think are the benefits of dog-friendly workplaces?
Do you work in a place that allows you to bring your pet to work with you? In your opinion, what are the most important benefits of dog-friendly workplaces? Let’s chat about it in a comment below!
Also, be sure to check out these tips for a happier workplace, from your dog’s point of view!
About the Author:
Anita Fernandes has been writing extensively on health and wellness for over a decade. She has expertise in nutrition, fitness, public health, and weight loss, and has contributed content to a variety of leading digital health publishers.
Anita has a unique perspective on healthy living and lifestyle, as she has battled and overcome eating disorders and mental health issues. She shares her experiences in an effort to help others enhance resilience and overcome the problems that can sometimes seem insurmountable.
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