Many dog lovers think their job, and their job performance,
would be better if they could bring their pet to work. And there
are studies that show that allowing dogs in the workplace reduces
stress – resulting in happier and even more productive and
efficient employees – and even increased teamwork.
So ever office should open its doors to Fido, right? Well,
don't throw open the doggie-door quite yet. While it might be
tempting, employers have a few issues to consider from a legal,
business and office culture perspective before offering a blanket
policy allowing dogs.
There are certainly reasons to allow pooches in the workplace, and
as a dog lover, I often wonder what my day would look like if I
could bring my dog with me to the office. Then I realize that my
wonderful, loving, but rambunctious dog is probably not office
appropriate.
Canine Culture
Dog-friendly workplaces indicate that the employer is relaxed and
forward thinking about office culture generally, and that type of
environment is appealing to employees.
Even so, employers have to weight the positives with the potential
negatives. For example, what do you do about aggressive dogs? While
dog owners will tell you, "Don't worry my dog wont
bite," it's not always true. Even the most mild-mannered
pup may get aggressive when put into an uncomfortable situation,
perhaps including eight to 10 hours in an office building with many
new faces and possible several unfamiliar dogs.
Employers should decide whether they are willing to face the
possibility that an employee-owned dog becomes aggressive with an
employee, customer or visitor. If so, employers should be sure that
they have appropriate insurance for that possibility. And while
you're at it, check your building's lease to ensure dogs
are allowed.
Petaphobes
Employers also have to take into consideration the reaction of
non-dog lovers before implementing a dog-friendly policy, and even
further how to address employees with allergies. As hard as it is
for dog lovers to understand, some people just do not like dogs and
do not want o spend 40 (or more) hours each week with "those
animals."
How do you justify to an employee with a serious dog allergy that
he or she might have to buy stock in Zyrtec in order to continue
working? And might you be required to accommodate and emplyee's
allergies under the Americans with Disabilities Act? While the
specific facts and circumstances would dictate whether an allergy
would be a disability under the ADA, the possibility may be enough
for some employers to choose not to implement a pet-friendly
policy.
For those who still feel strongly about dogs in the workplace,
they should remember they may be required to provide ADA separate
pet-friendly and no-pet areas, requiring dogs on leashes, and
making sure pet owners focus on pet hygiene.
Are You Really Dog-Friendly?
Finally, is being a dog-friendly workplace representative of the
employer's actual office culture? Take a close look at whether
your workplace is appropriate for animals. If an employer is going
to feel uncomfortable with the idea of customers and clients coming
into the office where they will be greeted by a four-legged friend,
then there is no reason for the employer to try to force a culture
that does not fit with his or her business needs.
In a manufacturing business, it would be unsafe for animals to be
allowed in the workplace. No matter how badly a company's
employees love the idea of having Rex sit at their feet during the
workday, and employer should not acquiesce to their desire if it is
directly opposed to the culture the employer wants to instill or
the business in which it is engaged.
Pooch Policy
If you decide your office culture can include dogs, managing such
issues can be (and should be) addressed by implementing a detailed
policy. The policy should include, among others, an animal
background check (assuring the dog hasn't been aggressive
previously), allowing only housebroken and vaccinated dogs,
requiring certain cleaning and hygiene requirements, requiring the
use of a leash in certain parts of the office (if not all),
creating a no-dog area for those who are not themselves
dog-friendly or allergic, and implementing a zero-tolerance
policy.
While dogs in the workplace may fit into the business and office
culture of certain workplaces, employers should be cautious of the
potential pitfalls and make sure they have a policy that addresses
these possibilities.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.