Bring Your Pet to Work [Every] Day
With increased work demands and longer commutes, the workplace is becoming a home away from home. Many companies are moving to employee-centered work atmospheres by providing new wellness initiatives and other amenities to help make employees feel comfortable and enjoy the environment they work in. But even with healthy food options and exercise classes, many employees still rush out the door at 5:00 p.m. to spend time with the beloved pets waiting for them at home. This challenge is now being recognized by today’s employers, and many are seeing mutual benefits to inviting employees to bring their four-legged friends along with them.
Power of Pets
Decades of research have shown that pets provide numerous health benefits, from lower blood pressure, reduced stress and anxiety, boosted immunity, and prevention of asthma and allergies. Even a quick pet can calm and reduce subconscious tensions. And when you’re less stressed, you’re generally happier, more creative, and more productive.
photo source: Kimball
By bringing their pets to work, employees aren’t worried about having to stay late once in a while or feel guilty about leaving their pet at home all day. They feel they have a better work-life balance, which ultimately leads to less absenteeism and better employee retention.
Taking their pets outside for a quick walk or restroom break also provides increased movement and much needed brain breaks throughout the day. It even gets employees out of their primary area and encourages new interactions and coworker bonding that may have not happened otherwise.
Family and Friends
Often, pets are thought of as a member of the family. Since the beginning of David Edward, the canine companions of the Pitts family have helped make David Edward a special place.
Four-legged friends have been a steady feature at the David Edward office since Edward Pitts began the company. He always had a love for dogs, and brought them to work with him every day. Their presence provided a welcome and more informal environment, and soon, the David Edward family of employees became attached to them as well. Over the years, the beloved pups of David Edward have even made special appearances in marketing materials.
© Seth Hughes, Getty Images.
“A few walks a day bring fresh air to our lungs, a nice stretch to our legs, and the lack of guilt associated with leaving our best friend at home for 10 hours,” said Greg Pitts, VP of Marketing and Design at David Edward.
David Edward's philosophy is to manifest positive, unconditional regard for its customers, employees, suppliers, the environment, and the community at large. Known as Design’s Best Friend, they strive to treat everyone with the same love and friendship that their four-legged pals provide them each and every day.
5 Steps to Making Pets Work in Your Workplace
Maintain good hygiene.
Make sure pets are groomed, cleaned and free of fleas/ticks, as well as have up-to-date vaccinations. Introduce pets slowly. Inform employees of pet’s training and dietary needs.
Additionally, be respectful of employee allergies. Sections or floors of a workplace should be determined as no-dog-zones, and employees taking their dogs to their desks should take the shortest route possible to get there.
Keep your pet-friendly areas clean. Dogs’ bedding to be washed once a week, as well as the implementation of HEPA filters to provide allergy relief.
photo source: Kimball