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Bring your four-legged friend to work. They can fetch documents and carry messages around!

 Life in the 21st century isn’t easy as it seems. People get distressed very easily as a result of the fast, modern lifestyle. Are people the only ones who get distressed when life gets uncomfortable? What about our furry friends at home, whom we leave behind every morning when we go to work? We do not get much time to see them or cuddle them during the weekdays since our heads are buried under huge piles of documents at our workplaces.

As a solution to this issue most of the Companies worldwide have incorporated pet-friendly policies that benefit both the employers and employees and in addition, of course our four-legged fellows. According to the Human Resource Management survey in 2015 it has been found out that 8% of American workplaces have introduced pet-friendly policies and allowed the employees to bring their pets to work. Amongst these companies are Google, Amazon, Ben & Jerry’s, Etsy, Glassdoor and FabFitFun. Amazon reports that there are around 6000 pet dogs in the headquarters at Seattle. Animal welfare organisations and pet related businesses also display a high percentage of pet-friendly work spaces.

Researches show that there are many advantages as well as a number of disadvantages of bringing pets to work. Pets help to relieve stress during work and a research study in 2012 has reported that people who interact with their pets during work have a lower hormonal stress level. This in addition increases the performance of the employees since they do not have to worry about their pets they left at home or at a pet care center. Pet friendly work spaces also decrease the pet care costs. Pets at work help in maintaining positive interaction among the employees and they turn the working environment into a friendly space. However, the barking, snoring and whining sounds of dogs and cats can distract people. Therefore, it will be easier for everyone if the pets are trained properly to live in a working space. There are some criticisms about the pet friendly policies, arguing that people now have to care for their pets during work in addition to doing office work and that it slows down the work speed. Another major challenge is that there can be co-workers with animal phobia or allergies. Therefore, having pets at work can make the work place an uncomfortable zone for them.


However, all the benefits and challenges aside, who wouldn’t love the idea of coming to work with their beloved pet dog or cat! The working from home concept due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation has also given much opportunity to interact with families and to maintain better relationships. It has been found out that employees display a high level of efficiency when they are working from home. Therefore, a comfortable and friendly environment can be beneficial to everyone including our four-legged friends if we are ready to overcome the challenges that are in our way.

~Parami Ranasinghe

Comments

  1. sevenamusedbloggersMarch 4, 2021 at 3:33 AM

    I would absolutely love to work in a space that permits me to bring my pet to work! But yes, while reading your post I was considering if it is suited for Sri Lanka where we have certain people who shudder and pelt stones at animals even if they're simply minding their own business. If at all perhaps a compromise would be to have a 'bring your pet to work' day annually! I also think animals have their own personalities so that's another reason that should be taken into consideration, and others need lots of attention so the distraction point you brought up is a very legitimate factor!

    -Nipuni

    ReplyDelete
  2. SashaMarch 26, 2021 at 1:10 AM

    I don't see this happening is Sri Lanka anytime soon though like Nipuni also pointed out! I have a dog at home and I would also love to take him to work but he could be a real distraction and I would probably get fired for zero productivity :) But I feel like if workspaces are designed with separate pet care facilities where employees can check in on their pets during free times a lot of the negative aspects of bringing your pet to work can be reduced.
    - Sasha

    ReplyDelete
  3. SanduniApril 3, 2021 at 6:02 AM

    Haha I agree with Sasha :D I also would be too distracted to get anything done if I brought my pet to work with me! I can vouch for the fact that pets help to reduce your stress, BUT I think I would be more stressed out worrying if my pet would be cared for properly by a total strange if I were to ever bring them to work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. TherushieApril 13, 2021 at 10:48 PM

    There's nothing I would love to do more!!! But yeah, like Nipuni, Sasha and Sanduni have pointed out I don't think I'd be very productive either. I would just want to hang with my pet the whole day without getting any work done. Plus there is the I hate animals people factor as well- not only would they be suuuuperrr uncomfortable, but I also wouldn't want to be colleagues with anyone who doesn't think my pet is cute!!! haha

    ReplyDelete

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