In today’s hectic and stressful work environment, employers are actively exploring creative ways to boost their employees’ wellbeing as well as productivity. A trending initiative embraced by some workplaces is having pet-friendly policies. The pet ownership rate in Ireland has increased in recent years, with people now able to balance working from home and caring for their furry friends. Additionally, having pets around provides significant physical and emotional advantages.
In a study by ISPCA (The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Mars Petcare, 56% of people believe pet-friendly companies are great places to work (2). This blog highlights the advantages of such policies for employers and their companies.
Stress and anxiety are common challenges in the workplace, often affecting employees' mental health. Pets, however, can naturally alleviate tension and bring a soothing presence to the environment.
Distilled, a company that has been in the programme for 6 years, and also ranked 1 in Ireland’s Best Workplaces™ 2023, has taken the lead in incorporating pet-friendly policies into the workplace; "At Distilled, we have flexible working; a lot of our employees got pets over lockdown and our flexible working policy and hybrid working allows them to care for their pets."
In a professional environment, conversations and interactions are usually very formal or rigid. However, having pets around creates an unbiased atmosphere for employees to have relaxed interactions with each other, which fosters an open and genuine discussion. Distilled shows its inclusive side by organising monthly hikes where employees can bring their pets. This not only helps co-workers bond but also shows how much the company values an open and welcoming work atmosphere.
The presence of a pet-friendly workplace improves the company’s reputation and branding. This not only attracts top young talent during recruitment but also clients who appreciate this inclusive practice. Distilled sets an example with "Pets Of Distilled" on social media and the "Pets Gone Wild" Slack channel. According to Linda Farrell, “A lot of our employees are passionate about animal welfare and foster and adopt rescue dogs and cats and we have given charitable donations to animal charities as part of our CSR initiative. We are currently looking into getting branded merchandise for our pets of Distilled.”
Having a pet-friendly workplace has a lot of benefits for the employees as well as the company. However, there are certain challenges which need to be addressed. To make sure the company has an inclusive environment for all employees, taking into account that pet-related allergies and health concerns must be considered.
To successfully implement a pet-friendly policy, it is essential to actively involve and engage management to secure their full support. Open communication ensures alignment with organisational goals and addresses potential concerns. It's equally important to consider the allergies, phobias, and preferences of both employees and management, fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Together, management and employees can collaboratively establish guidelines, deciding which types of pets are suitable for the workplace and setting clear limits on the number of animals allowed. This collaborative approach helps create a structured and harmonious policy that works for all.
One of the most important factors to consider is whether your workplace building allows pets or not. Check with the landlord or property management company to make sure the company can start Pets at Work scheme.
With the help of your legal department, draft an authorisation and release form that benefits both the company and the employees and have it signed by them.
Embracing such a practice requires the willingness to accommodate the diverse needs of your employees. If your company is considering starting a pet-friendly workplace, consider a trial period or having specific ‘Bring Your Pet to Work’ days. You can then get feedback from your employees and track their stress levels and work satisfaction.
Pets in the concrete jungle of an office can bring solace, smiles, warmth, and compassion to co-workers, who work tirelessly to meet deadlines. Pets are compassionate and undoubtedly a paradigm shift towards alleviating the tension in the competitive world of the workplace.
They also hold a special place in our hearts and become part of our families. Guidewire, one of the Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces in Tech in 2023 recognises this relationship and implemented a policy of pet bereavement leave. While we have just shown the benefits of having our special friends in our work environment, having a pet bereavement leave policy acknowledges the emotional importance of pets in our lives in general, not only at work. It showcases commitment to supporting employees during difficult times and promotes a healthy work life balance by recognising that grieving for a pet is a legitimate and often deeply emotional process. It fosters a compassionate workplace culture, showing empathy for employees during times of loss.
For a happy and thriving workplace, a little bit of paw-sitivity can go a long way!
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Resources:
(1) DSPCA Pets At Work Scheme
(2) Sunday World (2022) Majority of people in Ireland would like to see pets in the workplace, survey finds