Considering allowing employees to bring their dogs to work? This will help get you started.
Our company has a policy allowing employees to bring their dogs to work. It’s one of the perks of working at Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group™ and an important component of our office culture.
Perhaps you’re considering a similar policy at your business, especially to accommodate employees and their pets who’ve become accustomed to work-from-home arrangements. If that’s the case, this article will answer all your questions and give you two turnkey documents to institute your own policy. You’ll definitely want to share this with your Human Resources department and other business leaders.
Before I give away all our secrets, however, let me address a few other questions. Also, keep in mind, our office is currently closed, so this is written with normal circumstances in mind.
Does it work?
Yes. Aside from some occasional barking and the very rare occurrence of a bathroom accident, we have 20–30 dogs in the office every day, harmoniously sharing the building with 175 humans. It makes for a fun, relaxing environment proven to positively impact many areas of the business, including reduced stress levels and improved employee recruiting and retention.
What are the benefits?
In addition to lightening the mood and aiding in recruitment efforts, there are other benefits:
- You’ll likely notice improved communication and productivity. Dogs serve as natural icebreakers. By easing lines of communication, employees will find it easier to approach one another for informal conversations that naturally lead to discussions about projects and other business.
- Dogs promote a healthy lifestyle. They need to be let outside a few times throughout the workday, and what better way to spend part of your lunch hour than a leisurely stroll with your best friend? Dogs are a great way to break up the day and get us out of our chairs.
- There’s also a positive lift in office morale. Their presence in the office, combined with the previously mentioned benefits, will result in a happier, more positive workforce.
- It simplifies logistics and helps with finances for employees who may otherwise choose to board their dogs while at work.
Do you have a policy or list of rules?
Now that you’re sold on the why, you may want to know more about the how your company can institute a program for office dogs.
- Get the appropriate buy-ins from leadership and your workforce.
- Check your lease agreement and speak with property management and other tenants.
- Once you are ready to move forward, I suggest establishing your own ground rules and quick training for pet parents looking to bring their best friend to work. To make this as easy as possible for you, I’m making ours available for download right here: check out our Policy/Rules Document and Training Video.
I hope you find these helpful. Good luck, and be sure to report back or ask any follow-up questions!
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