Following in the footsteps (or paw prints) of household names: Google, Amazon, Nestle and (maybe not so surprisingly) Pets at Home; an increasing number of UK workplaces are becoming ‘pet-friendly’. This rapidly growing trend has seen organisations on both sides of the Atlantic introducing perks such as monthly ‘bring your dog to work’ days or on-site pet crèches; some even enroll pets as company employees!
Throughout this post, we’re going to investigate the positive impact that our furry friends can have on employees and organisations as a whole, taking into account findings from a number of recent surveys. Some of the finer details will also be addressed with regard to the successful implementation of ‘pet-friendly’ workplace policies.
Let’s start with the positives:
Reduction in Employee Stress Levels – The rise in employee absences attributable to stress and other mental health issues has been well documented over the past year. Interestingly, a study conducted by the International Journal of Workplace Health Management discovered that employees who interacted with their pets during the day experienced a noticeable increase in stress-reducing hormones.
Improved Employee Performance & Job Satisfaction – These two go hand in hand, happy and content employees are generally productive employees! According to recent figures, UK-based ‘pet-friendly’ organisations enjoyed considerable reductions in absences and increases in employee productivity and performance. Furthermore, when quizzed on the subject, employees of ‘pet-friendly’ companies were also more inclined to work longer hours.
Promotion of a Healthy Lifestyle – Many of us spend a significant proportion of our day sitting in one place which can be detrimental to our health. A ‘pet-friendly’ workplace however, provides a number of opportunities for employees to become more active, dog owners in particular. Your pooch needs walkies and so do you! If you live within walking distance of the office, great; if not, make sure you get out for a brisk walk at lunchtime.
Team Building – ‘Pet-friendly’ initiatives can also be effective drivers with regard to improving trust, communication and collaboration between colleagues. A recent university study investigating the effects of workplace pets on organisational culture and atmosphere found that employees of ‘pet-friendly’ organisations tended to have a better rapport with their co-workers.
Unique Selling Point (USP) – It’s all about standing out from the crowd at the end of the day! Positioning yourself as a ‘pet-friendly’ organisation can do wonders for your company profile and brand image. Market research suggests that ‘pet-friendly’ organisations are perceived to be warm and forward-thinking. In addition, pet owner perks also play a crucial role in attracting top talent to your business and reducing staff turnover, most notably with millennial candidates.
Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?
Before you start making room for beds, play pens, water bowls and squeaky toys; here are those aforementioned finer details:
Firstly, the implementation of ‘pet-friendly’ policies creates considerable work for an organisation’s HR department. Risk assessments should be carried out to ensure the workplace is suitable and that all pets visiting the workplace possess the appropriate temperament to do so. Any allergies or phobias suffered by employees must also be taken into account. Company protocols outlining the responsibilities of pet owners and any corresponding documentation would then need to be distributed to all staff members.
No matter what species your employees belong to, workforce management is always a walk in the park with Ceequel® Software Suite!
Developed by award-winning time and attendance specialists ELF Productivity, Ceequel® delivers a true holistic solution to an organisation’s: time and attendance, access control, human resource management and shop floor data capture requirements.
To learn more about Ceequel®, please contact ELF Productivity. A range of brochures are also available to download from our website, click here to view our downloads section.