In the Zone
Studien belegen, dass Haustiere den Arbeitsplatz entspannter, interessanter und produktiver machen. Würden Sie also Ihren Hund mit in die Arbeit nehmen oder Ihrem Kollegen gestatten, es zu tun? Und wie empfinden das die Tiere selbst? JULIAN EARWAKER beric
Pets in the workplace
As I sit in my garden office writing this article, Lilly is giving me the look. This usually means it’s time for a walk, or food. Or both. Lilly is a seven-year-old Jack Russell terrier and family pet. She’s a useful alarm if someone comes knocking at the front door. She’s ideal for getting me away from my desk for a regular walk. She’s also a fascinating character and great companion.
I’m not alone in enjoying the company of a pet at work. Almost half of Brits own a pet, while in the US, it’s around 60 per cent. According to CEO Today, one-fifth of UK workplaces allow their employees to bring a pet to work — with “muttropolitan” London leading the way for workplace dogs. Around eight per cent of American companies currently permit pets. Amazon, Google and many other firms offer dog-friendly offices. Scientific American reports that pets at work help reduce stress, make the office more friendly and “provide a positive diversion”.
Although dogs are the number one workplace pet, both dogs and cats have a similar effect on people, according to behavioural psychologist Lotte Spijkerman. “They reduce stress and increase productivity, mainly because they interact with you of their own accord,” she told Business Insider.com, “and, when they pop over to your work station, it’s a good reminder that you might need to take a break.”
There are other benefits to having pets at work, too: one recent study from West Virginia University showed that dog-friendly workplaces have “lower rates of absenteeism and higher worker morale and productivity”. Research by US pet
insurers Nationwide found “a significantly higher level of employee engagement, retention, attraction and presenteeism” in pet-friendly work environments. Forbes. com describes pet-friendly workplaces as being “win-win for employee well-being and for business”.
Clearly, not every workplace is suitable for pets. And not every colleague, client or customer wants to be greeted by a dog or cat — however friendly. Men, in particular, tend to see pets as an unwelcome distraction. CEO Today reports that 12 per cent of British men admit to complaining about pets at work, compared to just one per cent of women. While few workplaces have specific policies regarding pets, all must observe health-and-safety laws.
Would you want to share your workplace with animals? A dog? Cat? Snake? Bird? Fish? As all pet owners know, animals can be unhygienic, smelly — and, well, unpredictable. What happens if one of them has an “accident” on the carpet or floor covering? What about colleagues who suffer from animal allergies? Pet experts Purina.com have a few tips, including keeping pets groomed, creating special pet spaces at work, providing poop scoops, treats, toys and, importantly, water bowls.
In Seattle, performance management company Trakstar runs a dog-friendly workplace — but sets out clear rules. Their number one rule: “Dog owners are 100 per cent responsible, 100 per cent of the time, for their pet’s well-being, behaviour and biological needs, including: scooping, bagging, cleaning and sanitizing as needed.” The firm also insists that anyone bringing their dog to work must have a pet insurance policy. Other requirements concern health and hygiene (being parasite free and not smelling too strongly), and behaviour (being obedient, not aggressive — and not barking too much).
While recognizing the advantages of animals for the workplace, not everyone thinks about the effect on the animals themselves. Some pets get stressed by strangers and strange environments. It can be cruel to take a pet to work in an artificially lit, air-conditioned office with strange smells and loud noises. “We’re thinking about our needs and how our pets help us,” writes Krystal D’costa in Scientific American, “but we are not considering what they may need from their environment in these cases.”
Animals have long had a role in therapeutic, mental health and medical environments. “One of the best ways to build resilience is to identify and support those things in our lives that revitalize us,” writes wellness consultant Naz Beheshti at Forbes.com. “For many people, pets provide significant emotional support and joy. Smart business leaders would do well to be mindful of this resource and create pet-friendly workplaces for their employees who need it.”
Every year, there is a “Take Your Dog to Work Day”. In 2020, it will be on 26 June. It’s not something I get involved in, because a dog is part of my everyday working life. And from the look on Lilly’s face, it’s time to finish this article, as that walk should have happened half an hour ago.
Would you want to share your workplace with a dog? A cat? A snake?