If you love your four-legged family member more than life itself then we have got some good news for you.
Contrary to popular opinion having a furry companion at work can actually boost staff morale and comradery in the workplace.
I mean, who wouldn’t love to see that face every day?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Surely all that tail-wagging and hand licking would get pretty distracting right? Well, apparently not.
According to a study by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 91% of workers feel more fully engaged in a pet-friendly workplace compared to 65% of employees who work in a non-friendly workplace.
The study also noted that the camaraderie and positive relationships with both supervisors and co-workers improved as a result of office pets.
As an added bonus, a majority of workers feel a stronger connection to employers who embrace pet-friendly policies. Pet owners are also more likely to exercise and have a generally improved physical and mental state of health which of course cuts down on staff illnesses and sick leave.
So, there you have it. It looks like employers should start seriously considering letting pets into their workplaces if they want to boost staff morale, health and overall well-being.
Unfortunately, not everyone is on the dog-loving bandwagon. A survey carried out earlier this year found that 28% of workers do not encourage dogs in the workplace.
Come on guys, just give them a chance. Who knows, they might even be able to help you to get some jobs done.
Read more about workplace wellness here.
