October 30, 2008

Dogs on the job: corporate canines

Dogs have infiltrated over 44 million households in the United States (that’s more homes with pups than kids), and now these lovable pooches have their snouts trained on the workplace. According to a recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association (APPMA), nearly 1 in 5 companies allow dogs in the office. But what possible place can these ball-chasing, treat-loving, toy-squeaking furballs have in a respectable workplace?

While it would be entertaining (on so many levels) to imagine some kind of canine conspiracy to overthrow corporate America and institute dog-park rule, the truth is that dogs in the workplace actually help business. APPMA reported that 73 percent of survey respondents claimed that dogs help create a more productive work environment, 96 percent said that dogs promote positive work relationships, 55 percent stayed later at work when their dogs were with them at the office, and companies reported a 27 percent decrease in absenteeism. Dog-friendly offices also seem to enjoy improved manager-employee relations, higher employee retention rates, and less on-the-job smoking.

Add these perks to the numerous studies showing that pets help to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, prevent heart disease, lower healthcare costs, and fight depression, and you might begin to wonder why more companies haven’t already added Spike to the company roster. While many hip, young startup companies and tech giants like Google and Amazon have rolled out the dog beds in their offices, a lot of employers are reluctant to join the pack.

Though it may be hard to believe, not everyone likes dogs. We can’t fault them for this, and we certainly shouldn’t discriminate against them in the workplace. Most dog-friendly offices do put their humans first. They have rules that all employees who choose to bring their dogs to work must follow; some even have dog-free zones. Dog-friendly offices usually advertise themselves as such when searching for new hires because this out-of-the-box benefit attracts more applicants. And since fitting in to company culture is always a big consideration in the hiring process, I don’t know that asking that someone be dog friendly is any more or less discriminatory than asking that they be “laid back” or “intellectually curious.”

But there is still that nagging question: If an employee is attacked by a dog in the office, is the employer liable? While there doesn’t seem to be a clear precedent for this, there are certainly ways to minimize risk. Most dog-friendly offices require dogs that come to work to be well socialized and without a history of aggressive behavior. (If your dog can’t distinguish between a human leg and a chew toy, it’s probably best to leave him at home.)

And if your employer is still not convinced that opening its doors to dogs is a good idea, mention that 32 percent of APPMA survey respondents said they would take a pay cut for the doggie benefit. Increased productivity for a lower price and bonus Frisbee breaks—who could say no to that?

 

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