Pros and Cons of Office Pets
For animal lovers, being able to bring your pet to work with you is ideal as it means you save money on a dog walker and don’t have to spend long periods of time away from your furry friend. More and more offices are becoming pet-friendly, such as large companies like Google, Amazon and Etsy. But office pets are not always a good idea. We’ve put together a list of pros and cons for those considering making their office pet-friendly.
Pros
- Relieve stress – Petting an animal decreases the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Studies have also shown that the presence of an animal helps to reduce blood pressure in humans. An office pet also gives you an excuse to get away from your desk and get some fresh air, which helps to reduce stress.
- Bring people together – Pets provide a sense of community by bringing people together and providing a common ground to socialise over.
- Work-life balance – bringing your pet to work makes the office feel more like home, making the office a less stressful and more inviting environment.
- Save money on pet care – the cost of a dog walker or pet sitter can quickly add up, so being able to bring your pet to work saves a lot of money.
- Staff retention – pet-friendly offices can make the job much more attractive for pet lovers, meaning they may stay in the job longer due to convenience and feeling happier at work.
- Longer working days – Staff with pets won’t have to rush off at the end of the day to look after their pets, so they are able to put in extra hours at work if necessary.
Cons
- Disruptions – Is an office pet going to prove to be too much of a distraction for staff?
- Dislikes/allergies – Some people don’t like animals and some may be allergic, which may cause tension if a pet is allowed in the office. Make sure everyone is on board before you allow pets in.
- Health and safety – even the most well trained pets can be unpredictable when spooked. An accidental bite could provide a potential legal issue.
- Cleanliness – bringing pets into work ultimately means the office is less clean, which may become an issue for those cleaning the office.
Would you consider making your office pet-friendly? Let us know in the comments!
