Although still a relatively rare practice in France, taking your pet to work is a well-established tradition in the United States, with a day dedicated to it: “Take Your Dog to Work Day” on June 24th. In fact, nearly one in five American businesses is considered “Dog Friendly”, even outside of this specific day.
Large companies like Amazon and Google have embraced this practice by incorporating it into their organisational policies, with the aim of promoting employee wellbeing. Many studies have been conducted on this topic, highlighting the positive effects of animals in our daily lives, especially during stressful and anxious times.
Animals are known to have a positive impact on our bodies; they reduce stress levels, ease tensions, and help with concentration, social interactions, and collaboration between colleagues. This is why having animals in the workplace can be beneficial for companies. The day will be much more pleasant with a four-legged companion, and work will be more productive—benefiting both employees and employers!
How to Take Your Pet to Work?
However, certain prejudices and fears still prevent many businesses from allowing animals in the workplace. Since there are no legal regulations governing the presence of animals at work, it simply comes down to applying some basic etiquette to ensure a pleasant environment for both employees and pets.
It’s essential to get permission from your boss and colleagues before bringing your pet to work. For everyone’s comfort, make sure the animal is clean to avoid any hygiene issues. It is also best to bring a sociable pet, one that gets along with both humans and other animals.
All of this ensures a calm and peaceful environment for everyone. Most of the time, it’s dogs that are brought to work, as they are better suited to spending an entire day in a workplace setting compared to cats or exotic pets.