Just like free snacks and flexible working hours, workplace dogs are now seen by many companies as an important staff perk, and key to a happy, productive team.

For many employees, permission to bring a pet to work can even mean the difference between them staying in a job or going walkies because of the high cost of canine daycare.

“There was an explosion in dog ownership during the Covid-19 lockdowns of the past two years, and it’s created new priorities for many workers,” says Natalie Nelson, Technical Advice Lead at Royal Bank Mentor. “Some owners don’t want to be separated from their pets, and many dogs aren’t used to being left home alone, so being able to bring your dog to work can be a real incentive to return to the office.”

The advantages of allowing dogs in the workplace are clear to pet lovers: they’re great for morale, create a more casual atmosphere, and they encourage bonding between co-workers. But, like most shaggy dog stories, there’s a twist in this tail.

“We can’t assume that everyone’s a dog lover, and we can’t forget that not all dogs are created equal,” says Natalie. “Some are friendlier and quieter than others, and a badly behaved dog in a workplace can be counterproductive. So employees must accept that if their dog is being a nuisance at work, it has to go.”

Advantages

• good for employee morale
• encourages workplace bonding
• helps to attract and retain staff 
• stimulates collaboration

Disadvantages

• can be disruptive
• may cause damage
• carries health and safety concerns
• not a good fit for every company

1. Worker performance

• encourages team building
• can be intimidating
• may be distracting

Dogs can encourage bonding and collaboration at work, but they can also become a distraction from the job at hand. Productivity may decrease if the time spent interacting with an animal outweighs the time spent on completing tasks – and this ultimately affects a company’s bottom line. Also, having an animal around might be intimidating for some workers, while others may object on religious grounds. An anonymous questionnaire can help gauge employees’ feelings about pets at work.

2. Company culture

• can create a relaxed culture
• not appropriate in some businesses
• customer expectations may differ

An organisation that allows employees to bring their dogs to work may be considered attractive because it creates a relaxed, familiar atmosphere. But not every company’s culture lends itself to having dogs in the workplace. While it might be appropriate at an internet start-up or a microbrewery, it may not be at a financial services company or a legal practice. It’s important to recognise that while having canine company at work might be appealing to you and your staff, there is a risk that your customers won’t agree.

3. Tenancy agreements

• Some landlords won’t allow dogs
• always discuss the issue first
• get any pet agreements in writing

Many commercial tenancy agreements include clauses that prohibit animals on the premises so it’s important that you check the terms of your agreement if you intend to allow dogs at work. You should also discuss your plans with your landlord or building manager, and make sure you get any waivers or changes to your tenancy agreement in writing before allowing dogs access.

4. Health and safety

• dogs can be unpredictable
• injuries in the workplace are the business’s responsibility
• you will need the right insurance is in place

Business owners could be held responsible if an animal injures an employee or visitor to the office. Animals can get nervous in new environments and around new people, which could cause even the most well-behaved dog to act out of character. And an unsanitary dog can create a serious health and safety issue. It’s advisable to make sure that no one in the workplace has any allergies triggered by dogs, and that your business insurance covers injuries caused by animals on your premises.

5. Property damage

• protect IT equipment
• set up animal-free zones
• ask dog owners to sign a waiver

Pets can cause damage to furniture at home, and it’s no different in the workplace. But at work there might be expensive computer equipment, not to mention carpets, office furniture and other workers’ property for a dog to destroy. It might be necessary to ask owners to sign a waiver saying they will be financially liable for any damage caused by their dog. Also consider setting up no-dog zones at work, where animals aren’t allowed.

It's important to take all the pros and cons into account before you implement any policy. When it comes to pets, Natalie says: “Consider trialling the concept with ‘bring your dog to work’ days.

"If you’re looking to introduce this as an ongoing employee perk, make sure you have a clear policy in place on how to request this benefit, expectations, and how to raise concerns.”

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