According to studies by the National Institute of Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, dogs can relieve human anxiety and lower stress. Companies should consider allowing employees (post-Covid) to bring their dogs to work as an incentive to come back to the work environment. Dogs can also improve heart health by easing loneliness, encouraging exercising, and providing unconditional love in employees’ lives.
Companies can develop a Pet Policy before employees return to work post-Covid. June 25, 2021, is National Take Your Dog to Work Day, and this would be an excellent time to begin your new Pet Policy. Below are some employer and employee benefits to consider if you plan to develop a Dog Policy.
- Office dogs are an Employee Stress Reducer
Dogs in the workplace can minimize workplace stress. Studies show dogs can help lower stress levels and improve employee job satisfaction. After all, dogs tend to create a comfortable work environment. Dogs can be mood enhancers not only for the employee bringing the pet but those around them.
- Dogs boost office morale
Dogs give a sense of satisfaction because of their unconditional love. Employees dealing with tight deadlines or anxiety adds to the office morale and teamwork. Pat the dog, and you instantly feel better, and so do they.
- Dog-friendly workplaces promote productivity
Employees feel they can produce more work. Employers think that pets in the workplace would be a distraction in the workplace, but so do Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Studies show that employees minimize their social media to ensure their dog is comfortable, fed, and happy.
- Dogs help improve communication and teamwork.
After Covid, employees may stick to themselves when returning to the office environment. Dogs can encourage team building. Dogs create a shared interest in the team and facilitate better communications.
- Dogs encourage a healthier lifestyle in the office
Teams that have dogs in the workplace promote a healthier lifestyle. Teams decide when they will take the dogs out to “do their thing” and go out together and walk. Employers like their employees to be healthy, and dogs can facilitate that goal by employee walks and communication with each other.
- Dog-friendly offices improve employee retention
Healthy lifestyles in the office have been linked to reduced stress-related health issues, and as a result, less absenteeism. Dog-friendly workplaces elevate job satisfaction, which then vastly improves employee retention.
- Dog-friendly workplaces appear more attractive to prospective employees
Dog policies are an excellent incentive for recruiting new employees (especially Gen Y and X). If you want to recruit top talent, you need to project your Company as a 21st-century flexible employer. What a great benefit to joining your Company.
- Employees may feel guilty by leaving their dog at home alone
According to the Washington Post research, dog adoptions and sales soared during the pandemic. Shelters, rescues, and breeders reported increased demand by Americans to fill voids with a canine companion. Employees will be very hesitant to come back to work due to a new furry friend at home. Employers need to invigorate employees to come back to the workplace, so why not implement a Dog Policy? Obviously, it would be best to have a policy and guidelines, but it is easy to do. Think about the Company’s benefits.
References:
https://www.lifelearn.com/2018/06/22/advantages-dog-friendly-workplace/
The National Institutes of Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Preliminary investigation of employee’s dog presence on stress and organizational perceptions (Randolph T. Barker, Janet S. Knisely, Sandra B. Barker, Rachel K. Cobb, Christine M. Schubert). International Journal of Workplace Health Management https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/17538351211215366/full/html
Dog adoptions and sales soar during the pandemic. Shelters, rescues and breeders report increased demand as Americans try to fill voids with a canine companion. Washington Post (8/20/2020) https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/12/adoptions-dogs-coronavirus/
