Animals in the office?

[susan silva]

I have two friends that work in the same office.  The office has a company dog that comes in the office everyday.  One friend loves it, the other doesn't like it.  I know some companies that have cats and even one that has a parrot.   What would you do if your office had a pet?  Do you think it is right?  Some people are allergic, sometimes dogs bark, some think it is a good mental break to just stop and pet animals.   What do you think?   

[gee4]

For a start that has to be against any Health and Safety policy...court cases and claims gallore me thinks!!!

What would I do if my office had a pet?  Sue!!

[Katie G]

There's a small shop in our neighborhood in which the owners have a well-behaved dog.  The dog usually spends most of the time napping behind the counter, with occasional "meet and greets" with customers.  My mechanic has what he calls a "shop cat". 

But these are small, family-owned shops. A hobby shop and a mechanic's garage are not the same as a corporate office - where I DON'T think animals are a good idea.  As you mentioned, allergies, toileting issues, barking and other noises make for a difficult working environment.  And who pays the vet bills?  The company?  Would employees have to contribute?

I seem to recall many years ago a company tried "bring your pet to work day" and someone brought in a rather large snake.  Poor judgment all around, especially when the snake disappeared.  I would have flatly refused to work under those conditions. 

[JessW]

Sometimes I feel like I work with a bunch of animals (but I suppose that is a different question)!

Would love to have the odd pet or 2 to say hello to during times of stress though.

PS Gee, who is sue?

Jess (stressed out of my gauge at the moment - hence the above comment!) 

[diamondlady]

LOL @ Jess and I know exactly what you mean.  But pets in the office, I might have a problem with especially with allergy issues, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Although I love pets, dogs more than cats, but that's another question too....My mom's old boss used to bring his dog into the office but it was the family home and part of that house was their office. Very small environment and that is a different setting entirely.  Just depends on the situation and circumstances I guess for me....

[gee4]

Jess,

I was tempted to say I work with all sorts of animals -

- Monkeys
- Donkeys
- Asses
- Weasels
- Snakes
- Dogs (bitches mostly!)
- Cats
- Rats

But that would just be an insult to animals.

[jennika]

Ha ha ha ha that is probably the only time you can use bitches and 100% ok with it!  ahah that made me laugh and smile.  I work mainly with weasles!

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area there are a lot of companies that allow dogs or have a dog around the office.  It isnt main stream, I would guess 1% or less, but still, out of 100000 companies that makes a could hundred around the area.  It isn't just small and mom and pop companies, Zynga (game on facebook) allows dogs and a few other larger companies.  I love dogs so have would have no problem if a dog is well behaved.  I would LOVE to bring my dog to work, but he a stubborn SOB and wouldn't behave or be calm.

[jennika]

http://tinyurl.com/7j2cgmw  That link is just for the cuteness factor!

[Cozwaz]

When I used to have my own business and employed a couple of staff I used to take Corrie, my then black lab to work with me.  He used to curl up on his chair and go to sleep but always used to wake up to greet clients.  Infact it did get to the point where clients used to just pop in to see Corrie!

I am allergic to animal fur but have always said I would always rather take antihistamine rather than sacrifice my love of animals.  Luckily the staff I employed loved Corrie and were not bothered about him being in the office, if they had been I wouldn't have taken him to work with me. 

The company I work for now I wouldn't bring a dog in, infact my boss wouldn't let any of us bring one in.  The office is open plan and some people in the office are not doggie people at all.

As for a dogs behaviour in an office - thats all down to training, Corrie wouldn't dare bark at people coming into the office he also knew after time which clients he could go up to for a cuddle or attention and which ones to ignore lol.  He also knew that when I said bed I meant it! But if someone came into the office that he didn't know he was straight off his chair to be at my side.

[traudi]

Since I am allergic to any kind of our furry friends, I might have to quit my job.

[Atlanta Z3]

I can see both sides of this.  I personally love animals and if one is well behaved I don't have an issue with one being in the office.  However, I can see the liabilty and the allergic issues.  I have been in many small shops and even some bed and breakfasts that have a company pet.
What happens when the pet has an acciden?
Am I still on the clock if I take Fido for a walk?
Sidebar - most dogs are better behaved then the children that are brought to work and they usally aren't sick!

[Katie G]

Sidebar - most dogs are better behaved then the children that are brought to work and they usally aren't sick!

Oh, A-MEN to that!  Given the choice, personally, I'd take a well-behaved dog over an undisciplined human child any day!  (Or an undisciplined adult for that matter!)

[msmarieh]

Personally, I would love it.

Most offices that allow it have policies that go with it (i.e. regarding animal behavior, accidents, etc.). I don't know how they handle the allergy issues.

Here is an interesting article on it that says 1 in 5 companies in the US allows it (done several years ago, though). I would be a little surprised if that statistic were accurate, but I suppose it's possible.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200460,00.html

[gee4]

Again this would never happen in my company or any company I have worked.

The office is no place for animals or children.  You are dicing with danger if you think or do otherwise.

What happened if an animal attacked or bit someone, or got mangled in a machine/piece of equipment?  Who would be liable then?   

Not to mention the stench.  People seem to forget animals smell and carry germs.  They don't bathe or shower like humans, they walk in all sorts of dirt and muck.  Is that acceptable in a workplace, no, definitely not!!

It doesn't surprise me that this topic stemmed from the US in the first place.

[msmarieh]

It doesn't surprise me that this topic stemmed from the US in the first place.

Yes, we are quite progressive and wonderfully accepting of our pets in the US and we rather like it that way. Fortunately you have an ocean to separate you from the chaos and horror. LOL