In Portland, it’s not uncommon to find office which are dog friendly. But bringing a dog to the office, has some consequences. Pet friendly workplaces are really catching on, around 8% of workplaces allow employees to bring their furry loved ones to work, a considerable increase even in the past few years.
The positives
It’s a Stress Reliever
Research from Virginia Commonwealth University revealed staff who were able to bring their furry friends to work demonstrated a significant drop in stress.
Increased Teamwork
Another study showed that when dogs are present, people tended to work better together. There was increased trust, collaboration and communication. By boosting collaboration and team chemistry, pets can be a surprisingly effective tool in the workplace
Improved Morale
Pets like to play. Their inherent zest for life can be contagious and can lift the mood of employees. Pets teach us to live in the moment and enjoy life, which is a natural catalyst for better morale.
The Cons
Potential Workplace Distraction
Pets can be a significant distraction from the work at hand. You may find employees devoting more time to petting and playing with animals than getting actual work done. Dogs specifically, can be territorial and bark at new people coming through the door… that’s not ideal behavior if customers frequent the premises. So, it may be some pets have a better temperament than others. If you choose you invite pets into your workplace, strict guidelines must be in place to avoid unprofessional or unwelcome pet behavior.
Pet Allergies
“As many as three in 10 people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs.” If you have employees who suffer from pet allergies, it’s obviously going to be problematic if you’ve got several dogs and cats roaming around. It can also create resentment among those employees.
Property Damage
A final concern involves the potential for costly damages to your workplace as well as your employees’ personal items. Say somebody’s pet has a penchant for chewing and destroys your office furniture.
Cleaning and Janitorial Impact
Pets at work creates additional dander, hair and dust. Often they have “dog beds”, or scratching posts, and toys. These are all things that need to be managed carefully to keep your workplace efficient as a workplace.
By weighing the pros and cons, you can decide whether or not allowing employees to bring their furry friends to work makes sense for your business. If you do choose to benefit form all the upsides, rest assured a good janitorial company can help you keep things looking clean and professional.