Any of you who are friends of re:find will know we love an office dog! So much so that we have two who join us on a regular basis.
But having dogs in the office isn’t all cuddles and playing fetch. Here are my pros and cons of having office dogs.
Pro: stress reduction
It has long been known that having a dog can reduce stress. Virginia Commonwealth University 2012 study showed that people who brought their dogs to work showed reduced stress levels and higher levels of job satisfaction. Providing the dog is well behaved it is fun having it around. And if you are having a crappy day, they are always happy to give you a cuddle.
Con: allergies
I suffer from allergies; however, I am allergic to pretty much anything you can be allergic to. That includes dog, cats, horses, rabbits…basically anything with fur. The issue is I also love animals. Whilst my allergies aren’t severe, what it does mean is if I touch an animal, I have to wash my hands immediately. However, when Teddy decides to sneeze on my ankle…well let’s just say getting your ankle into a kitchen sink is not the easiest!
Pro: increased activity
When working in an office, it can be very easy to sit at your computer all day and before you know it, it’s 5.30! Having a dog naturally encourages you to be more active. It’s a great excuse to get out and take the pooch for a walk at lunchtime. Getting some fresh air and stretching your legs can also be great for your positivity levels.
Con: your food is no longer your own
Anyone who knows me knows this crucial piece of information about me. I. DON’T. SHARE. FOOD.
Sadly, dogs don’t understand what this means. Teddy stands at my feet when I am eating. I avoid making eye contact and I pretend that he isn’t there. Then he barks at me and taps my hand with his paw. Then I have to wash my hand because of the allergies. I sit back down to carry on eating, he touches me, I have to wash my hands. Well, you can see where this is going! It’s easier just to give him the piece of chicken from the outset.
All of this being said, I love having the dogs in the office. They bring a bit of fun and entertainment I genuinely do feel happy that they are around!
Here are the dogs you will find lurking around our office:
The Silent Assassin (AKA Teddy)
This is the sneakiest kind of dog….he pretends to be uninterested; he sleeps for most of the day and snores really loudly….but you rustle a food packet or ping the microwave and he springs into life like a jack in the box! That being said, he is very well behaved and is always very appreciative of a lunchtime stroll. He also loves strangers.
Pros: Loves a good fuss – if you are having a bad day, he is happy to give you a cuddle.
Cons: Watch out for your chicken, this guy will stop at nothing to get a nibble on your lunch!
The Energizer Bunny (AKA Gracie)
She’s a fun dog! She is happy to see everyone, bounces around the office quite happily. Give her a stress ball and she will be content for hours, although she will rip it to shreds. She can be a little noisy at times, but she provides endless entertainment.
Pros: Loves to play games and is always up for a walk.
Cons: Will bark the minute you pick up the phone to someone important.
So, what are your thoughts about having dogs in the office? Do you have any? What do you love/hate about having them around?
For all things HR Shared Services or if you would like to feature in our ‘Insiders Story’ blog, email me on kate@refind.co.uk.
You can view more about Kate Wass our HR Shared Services specialist here.
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