Should I Allow My Employees to Bring Their Children or Pets Into Work?

Pet-friendly workplaces are becoming commonplace today. A few employers that allow pets at work are Etsy, Amazon, and Google. Millennials are the driving force for bringing pets to work, and employers see the benefits. Pets tend to help employees to focus, and they have a calming effect on the office atmosphere. If you’re considering adding a pet policy to your employee handbook, here are some things to consider.

Avoiding Distractions

While there are many benefits to having pets at work, there are also some distraction issues to address. Some dogs can bark a lot, especially as they see people pass. Pets are distracting to those trying to work by wanting to be petted and have all attention on them. Any employee with attention issues may find it hard to resist a pooch in the office. You should weigh the pros and cons of allowing pets, and you will need to implement rules to keep things under control.

Boost Customer Perception

Did you know that allowing pets in your office space can enhance the public opinion of your company? It seems that many customers love coming to a place of business where a pet is welcome. They feel more relaxed and at ease doing business with Fido at their feet. Business officials tend to think that a company that allows animals is progressive and forward-thinking. Social media can’t get enough of these kinds of things either. Imagine what dogs in the workplace could do for your social media presence.

Determine Training Level

Not every dog is a fit for your office. Before allowing an employee to bring their dog in during a full day of work, set up a practice session. A great way to determine a pet’s level of training is to supervise interactions with strangers. Any dog that bites, barks a lot, or is aggressive, should be banned. Just because an employee loves their dog doesn’t mean that it should come to work. You should only allow well-behaved, properly trained pooches in the office. Otherwise, you could have some major issues on your hands.

The Downsides

Putting a pet policy in place is not always a walk in the park. Keep in mind that not all your employees love animals. Additionally, some places of business are not suitable for pets, especially if you make food or have professionals coming in and out all the time. Consequently, you must consider the health risks of pets mingling with your staff. Some people deal with severe pet allergies and phobias and would find it disturbing to have furry friends roaming about the office.

Things can get hairy when it comes to bringing pets to the workplace. So, it’s best to talk to a law practice to find out the legal ramifications of such a policy. You want to do the best thing for your employees, but you must also ensure it won’t cause you additional problems.

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