Dogs rule at this workplace

If you visit the ERC campus, you will discover that we have a dogfriendly work environment.

We welcome our employees’ dogs at the office and have for the past 20 years. Contrary to what some might think, our staff is extremely productive when our canine friends are at our workplace.

In addition, there is no doubt that the presence of dogs, on even the most hectic days, reduces stress and adds an element of calm in the office. Plus, the pooches definitely put a smile on everyone’s face when dogs are “in the house.”

And, if you check out our website, www. yourERC.com, you will see that all our employees’ dogs are listed under Key Contacts as our “Chief Barking Officers.”

I think many in our company have concluded that dogs may be near-perfect. If they could talk and perform the same tasks as humans, perhaps they might be running corporate America.

They have incredible attributes ideal for most work environments. In general dogs:

• Respect and treat people the same regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or sexual orientation. They don’t need laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to treat people without discrimination.

• Are selfless, are not vain, have no ego, and look to please their owners.

• Are loyal — a key ingredient to sustaining the employee and employer relationship.

• Stay away from things that stink. The business lesson is to stay away from bad deals and “bad people”’ that seem too good to be true.

• Do not bark behind your back. If they have something to say, they let you know to your face, and right away. How much better would workplaces be if we cut out the “hall talk” and replaced it with direct and open conversations?

• Provide unconditional love all the time and are non-judgmental. Employers that truly appreciate a diverse workforce thrive and improve the probability of attracting and retaining top people.

• Never take their family and neighborhood dog friends for granted. Likewise, people who consistently show up for work and put forth 100 percent effort should be appreciated.

• Love security, consistency, and predictability; as do humans especially at their workplace.

• Rest well. The breaks they take, are a good lesson on pacing our work, time-off, and family.

• Never hit anyone. Employees need to be respectful of each other as should employers be respectful of their staff.

• Are hard workers and retrieve sticks and Frisbees until exhausted. When you go to work, give it your all and make a positive difference in your organization.

• Are never shy about showing affection in public and are great listeners. If you are a manager, don’t hesitate to publicly recognize exceptional employee performance.

• Will have a short but fulfilling life — guaranteed. In the big picture, our careers are also brief. We might as well make the days count and enjoy work. If you love your job, know your job, and believe in what you’re doing, you will no longer be “living for the weekend.”

• Dogs live in the present moment and don’t hold grudges. Can you imagine the possibilities at work and outside of work if human beings were able to forgive, move on, and not hold grudges?

We can learn much from our canine companions. Maybe they can’t teach us how to build effective compensation systems, recruit better, or increase profits, but they sure can provide lessons on how we should treat each other at work.

All the dogs we have owned at home over the years were enrolled in and passed group obedience class when they were puppies.

What an experience! There is nothing quite like watching 20 dog owners pretending to have some control over their pets. If I weren’t a part of the class, it would have been worth just pulling up a seat to watch.

Interestingly, the dogs attending the class did not need the teaching; rather it was the dogs’ owners who needed lessons. The dogs were, in fact, the real teachers.

Imagine if we could just learn some of their tricks!

Pat Perry is ERC’s chairman, keynote speaker, and author of “Re-Shape Re-Define ReImagine.”

Pat Perry