Five reasons why welcoming dogs into the office could be a good idea
Thinking of creating a dog-friendly work culture? Here are five reasons why you should.
A study from the State University of New York found that people experienced less tension doing tasks that they find stressful when their pets were with them. (Their stress levels are lower with pets than with close family members or spouses even.) Having a pet is also known to lower your blood pressure.
So no surprise that it’s becoming increasingly popular to bring your dog to work. Indeed, a third of UK businesses declare themselves as ‘pet friendly’.
Does this mean that having a ‘dog friendly’ office is the secret to a dedicated and productive workforce? My Pet Needs That share five reasons why employers should consider welcoming dogs into the workplace.
1) You’ll attract the top dogs
Start-ups and global empires alike boast of investing in their workforce’s wellbeing. And, while offering a dog friendly workplace is a growing trend, it is still a fresh and innovative concept.
Not only does this attract employees that understand the wellbeing factors of having a canine in the office, but you’ll also be a more attractive recruitment prospect for dog owners, as they no longer need to plan for dog sitters or walker.
2) You’ll enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere
Reducing stress in the workplace boosts the overall atmosphere and mood of the office. Having a pet also encourages break times away from your desk, which drives productivity and improves mood.
Several benefits of being a dog owner stem from the psychological and emotional benefits. Interacting with animals increases serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These are ‘feel good’ chemicals and therefore provide a boost to your mood.
Boosting the workforce’s mood also works to combat the ‘clock watching’ office culture. Not only does this mean that staff are more likely to complete tasks before they leave the office, but manage their time more effectively.
3) It’s more social
If a workplace is rather stagnant with little conversation, owning a dog can break the ice and increase opportunities for colleagues to chat. This not only helps to build a report between team members, but creates a positive office atmosphere.
It can also boosts creativity, while enhancing a colleague’s skillset as they feel confident in voicing their ideas and opinions.
4) It’s great for social media
It’s not just your team members who’ll love getting to you know your face dog(s). Showcasing your office dogs on your businesses social channels is a great way of increasing your social following too.
Using your social channels to demonstrate your office culture is also attractive to potential future employees as well as prospective clients.
5) Dogs blur the home/work lines
Bringing a pet into the office blurs the lines between work and home life. This can work to improve work life balance as employees tend to the needs of their pet as a distraction from work.
Photo by Atanas Teodosiev
