Many workplaces have adopted the culture of having an office pet, and what’s not to love?
Allowing for pets in the workplace may not be conventional but has been found to improve efficiency and minimise employee stress levels. A study by Michigan University found that workplaces that had office dogs ranked their team-mates higher on measures of trust, team cohesion and intimacy than those who had not. It’s safe to say that having an office pet provides for a healthy work-life balance and is an amalgamation of work and personal life in a holistic work environment.
I’ve been bringing my Border Collie, Chillie into my office for some time now and the effect on colleagues and clients has been amazing. Chillie is feature of our office and his presence is a welcome one amongst the stresses and tribulations of a busy office. So, what are some of the added benefits I’ve noticed to having a work or office pet?
Having a work animal encourages us to take regular short breaks. These short breaks could be to give Chillie a pat, throw a toy or ball, or take him for a short stroll around the block. This process allows for two things:
- It gives us an opportunity to take a break from the work at hand which could be a task that might be repetitive or a little stressful. A break helps us to re-energise and regroup, getting us to be more focused on the task at hand. All of this simply because of a small furry distraction.
- Pets, for the most part, make us happy, especially dogs. Dogs are extremely intuitive and can pick up on people’s emotions, as such they show affection when humans are feeling low or stressed. Affection from an office pet can improve the mood of an employee via the release of endorphins as well as other “feel good” chemicals in the brain, including dopamine.
Still not convinced?
Having pets in the workplace creates a relaxed environment, an environment where staff, customers and clients alike can feel comfortable and at home. The ability to have an office dog can make your work environment much more relaxed and approachable, especially if it isn’t the norm for your industry, i.e. an Accounting Firm or Marketing Agency. More so, pets help to trigger conversations that may not have occurred if they hadn’t been there.
Most people have pets or have thought about getting a pet, this can strike conversation amongst people and in turn, create a sense of comfortability between them. This could be especially important with new clients. As businesses, we are always trying to find new ways of interacting and connecting with our clients, both on a personal level and a professional one. By doing so, your dynamic with your client becomes more than just a professional one.
Pets also keep spirits high even during stressful times; they provide laughter through comedic qualities, traits or actions throughout the day. Offering a sense of entertainment, companionship and joy to staff and employers alike. This in turns helps to raise company morale and improve work efficiency.
Lastly, unless you are frightened of animals, office pets can calm a workplace and defuse tension amongst employers and employees. This calming effect means that you are more likely to have fewer staff outbursts, all because of having your four-legged friend around.
So, if you’re not convinced yet, you’re probably not an animal person! It goes without saying there are many added benefits to having an office pet, why not give it a go, and invite your best friend into the office each day.
Brooke Arnott, Managing Director, The Small Business Lounge
