Is the idea of pets in the office barking mad, or the solution to increased job satisfaction and workplace wellbeing?

For many of us, a silver lining of the pandemic was being able to work with our trusty fur-friends by our side.

And what’s not to love? A wagging tail or soothing purr can bring instant joy to your day, and you’ll never find your four-legged buddy spreading office gossip behind the water cooler.

Many pet owners say their bond with their animals deepened through lockdown, making them reluctant to leave their fur colleagues behind now normal office schedules have resumed.
But do they need to?

In recognition of Friday (June 21) being Take Your Dog to Work Day, Companion Animal Network Australia is launching its Pets in Business program to help workplaces set up pet-friendly policies.

“When a lot of people didn’t want to return to the office following lockdown, we discovered a major reason for the pushback was they didn’t want to leave their fur babies home alone,” CANA CEO Trish Ennis said.

“Pet-friendly workplaces became a way to entice people back in, and studies from around the world were showing us the real benefits of pets in the workplace for both animals and humans.”

Paw-some perks pets bring to the job

The joy and loyal companionship pets offer has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, reduce loneliness, and increase feelings of social support and boost mood.

Not only that, pet-friendly offices are more likely to engage, attract and retain employees, and have a positive influence on job satisfaction and the collective wellbeing of all office members.

“Having pets in the workplace brings enormous social benefits,” Ennis said.

“It not only encourages conversations and fun, but also de-stresses the owners, animals and colleagues.”

Ennis said having pets (and we’re mostly talking about dogs) at work encouraged workers to get up from their desks and take a short break and get some sunshine throughout the day – another habit linked to improved workplace productivity.

Liz Small, engagement lead at Eastern Innovation Business Centre, led the introduction of a pet-friendly policy to the Melbourne organisation in 2022.

“We have a number of dogs in on a daily basis, and there is a great sense of happiness around the centre,” Small said.

“Our clients with pets come into the office and engage with each other, and those without pets get to engage with an animal if they choose. It has opened new conversations and bonding.”

The ruff side of pets at work

Most Australians love pets (we have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world), but not everyone is a fan.

Some people have an aversion to popular pets such as cats or dogs, while others have allergies.

“It should never be assumed that all employees will react positively to the introduction of pets into the workplace,” Ennis said.

“There will doubtless be individuals who are not fond of pets and do not want them in the workplace, which needs to be taken into consideration, as well as employees who have allergies and cannot be near them.”

Ennis said some animals were also not suited to an office environment – such as snakes, spiders and uncaged rabbits, who might chew cords.

“All pets need to be trained and not cause disruptions, such as reactive dogs that tend to bark at other people or animals.”

She also pointed out not all work environments were suitable for animals.

“For instance, I wouldn’t recommend pets in a warehouse or an area that operates high-risk machinery.”

How to create a paw-sitive workspace

Major companies including Amazon Australia have started to welcome dogs into the office, and Ennis says making the transition is not difficult.

“You need to balance the interests and rights of all employees, ensure the welfare of the animals, and manage the associated liability risks,” Ennis said.

“Education, clear guidelines and fair ground rules will be your best friend.”

Ennis said basic house rules were key to making pets a valued and beneficial part of a workplace.

“All pets should have their vaccination and flea treatments up to date, be house-trained, and socially-trained,” she said.

“Employers also need to consider how many animals will be allowed on site at a time and develop a roster if necessary.

“Each organisation may very slightly, but it is essential employers clearly set the parameters of what ‘pet-friendly’ means in their workplace through a tailored policy.”