Have you ever met someone whose pet sits at the table or gets gourmet treats while in a swanky pet home? Are you that person that spoils your pet? Well, people have an attachment to their pets like people do with their kids. Heard of a movie called Cinderella? Well she was attached to her little animal friends. However, she was also at her most productive when she was surrounded by those animals, from dogs to birds, and of course the mice.
Creating a dress from scratch or cleaning the garden area, Cinderella saw a huge benefit from having little friends around while she worked. (Well, her little animal friends worked too but that’s beside the point!) This is an early example of office pets and how they can unlock creative ideas, increase productivity, boost morale and social engagement, and increase employee attendance.
How Creative Is Your Pet
Animals can be extremely creative in the wild, but once they pick up on human tendencies they can astonish you. Cats parkouring off a cabinet to open a door or a hermit crab building a pile of rocks to make a bed. This creative spark works both ways. A pets’ playful or mysterious nature can create an inquisitive and curious mindset in their owner.
An employee with a playful pup or cat may think outside the box more and have a new perspective on a project. While, a fish picking up a pebble repeatedly or a bunny rubbing their chin on objects might spark an innovative and intriguing idea. Bringing pets to the office can bring these creative and innovative thought processes to work. Finding a new way of looking at a project can excite the entire team and open group discussions.
Increasing Productivity, Increases Company Performance
You might think that an animal in the office could be a distraction, but the opposite is actually true. Scientists have done experiments that prove that working with pets can actually improve employee focus, which makes them more productive. These little friends boost the serotonin in their owners by simply being near them. That boost of feel good chemicals in the body easily reduces the owner’s stress levels and anxiety.
Employees who are calm and relaxed are more capable of focusing and completing their work on time. A productive and efficient employee is a valuable asset to any company. Imagine promoting a pet friendly office space and increasing work productivity all while looking at cute furry faces. Employees bringing pets to the office can even spark creativity!
Who’s More Social, You or Your Pet?
Your pets can’t talk (well most of them anyway) but that doesn’t mean they don’t communicate. Office pets can promote a more sociable work environment. I once brought my dog to work because she had a vet appointment near my job. That day I spoke to 3 people in different departments who came to say hi to my pup, connected with my boss over our love for dogs, and shared grooming tips with 1 person. After that interaction, people would ask how my dog was and I would strike up conversations. Interdepartmental communication became seamless. When I had a project that involved another department there was already a bridge built to communicate.
Pets open up social interactions that were previously locked. When employees communicate, it fosters teamwork, group thinking, and increased employee morale. Happy employees are more likely to effectively resolve conflict and work in teams with better results. Pet friendly offices can increase the social aspect of the workplace and promote employee engagement.
If Pets Are In The Office, So Are Employees
Running home to take the dog out? Maybe the cat needs a vitamin or supplement? Many pet owners use lunch breaks to speed home to care for, or play with, pets in the midst of 8-10 hour shifts. This can increase stress levels and leave employees exhausted. Sometimes too exhausted to think proactively, focus on work, or be a team player.
Pet friendly offices eliminate the need for employees to run themselves ragged to care for their little friends. If your 4 legged friend was comfortable by your feet, you would be less likely to rush home. Employees would be less likely to need extended breaks and more likely to work later to meet critical deadlines. Office pets typically equate to a more energetic and stress free work environment. Heads up. Employees like stress free work environments.
How Can You Become a Pet Friendly Office
As you’ve read, allowing an employee to bring their pet to work can have a positive effect on the employees and the company. You can start by hosting a “Bring Your Pet to Work Day” every month to gauge how your office responds to this new work perk. Start even smaller with a “Bring Your Dog to Work Day” or “Bring Your Cat to Work Day”. Add in clear policies that will help everyone acclimate to the new benefit safely. Discuss with employees about becoming a pet friendly office to open the floor to creative ideas so everyone feels comfortable. Even allowing this to be a work from home day for employees whose pets may not be as mobile or social. Engaging with employees will make them feel heard and see a mood boost.
More offices are becoming pet friendly spaces for their employees. There are companies that have even incorporated dog bathrooms, areas with artificial grass for dogs to relieve themselves. This allows employees to care for their pets quickly and return to work moments later. Office pets are becoming increasingly more popular with major corporations such as Google, Ben & Jerry’s, and Etsy offering pet friendly offices. Ben & Jerry’s has even established an entire work plan to incorporate dogs in the office in a positive and engaging way. You never know, maybe Fido will get his only little desk to work on eating his treats at the office.