naturalpet
why more Offices
are going to the dogs
Pets can reduce stress
in the workplace
by Stephen Humphries
P
eriodic ‘Take Your Dog to Work’ days may remain spe-
Advocates believe that pet-friendly policies
cial events for many workers, yet pet-friendly work-
benefit both employers and employees. People
places are on the rise. They’re part of a broader shift,
as younger generations reject formal office culture in favor of
working long days can bring an element of their
more fun and fulfilling workplaces. But wider adoption of the home life into the workplace, while those who
benefit likely will depend on how companies handle issues
work regular hours needn’t get antsy about
relating to the comfort levels of other workers.
dashing home to walk the dog.
“There are more companies that are shifting toward of-
fering dog-friendly work policies because they can use that manner. [Having] dogs at work is just another way of being
to attract employees,” says Cameron Woo, publisher of Bark more genuine and who you are, at work.”
magazine. According to the Society of Human Resource The canine companions also offer a constructive form
Management’s (SHRM) 2007 Benefits Survey, 6 percent of of stress release. “I’ll sit and play with the dogs for a few
respondents allow employees to bring pets to work, up from minutes after a hard meeting,” grins Jess Frykholm, a Sermo
4 percent the previous year. A new survey of 1,000 adults by employee.
the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association found Tech firms like Sermo were among the first to turn office
that 17 percent are permitted to bring pets to work. cubicles into kennels. These companies need to innovate, but
Advocates believe the practice benefits both employers employees can’t be creative if they’re unhappy at work.
and employees. People working long days can bring an ele- For the most part, large, pet-friendly companies such
ment of their home life into the workplace, while those who as Google, Amazon, and Ben & Jerry’s aren’t the norm. The
work regular hours needn’t get antsy about dashing home to SHRM survey found that small companies were more likely
walk the dog. Another plus: not having to pay for a dog-sitter. to offer the benefit (11 percent), than medium companies (6
But the biggest gains may be the effect on the work percent), or large companies (4 percent). Implementing pro-
environment. At Web company Sermo, in Cambridge, Mas- cedures may simply be too daunting for big businesses, and
sachusetts, the philosophy is that the office animals—which there’s always concern that one of the animals will lash out
include a rabbit and iguana—encourage employees to get to at an employee, visitor or client.
know each other as individuals. It’s possible that an employer could be held liable for
“We try to break down barriers between people,” says an attack, just as a landlord can be held responsible if he
Alexandra LaMaster, the company’s vice president of talent. knew a dog was dangerous and didn’t do anything about it,
“So, when you come into conflict with each other, you re- says Juris Doctor Mary Randolph, author of Every Dog’s Legal
solve that in a better way and you’re more honest, in a direct Guide. But Randolph says she’s unaware of any trials over an
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September 2008 1
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