Five years ago, 50 pet-welcoming companies were surveyed. The review showed having pets in the office could lead to increased employee satisfaction and retention, decreased stress, and positive work environment.
So if your company isn’t pet-friendly, but is considering it, you’ll need to take a few things into consideration.
- Drafting a Pet Policy: The first priority when deciding to go pet-friendly is developing a policy that specifies the organization’s requirements. For example: which pets are allowed and which aren’t.
- Best Behavior: It’s important pets be well trained and well behaved while in the office. Not every pet is “office ready.”
- Pet-Free Zone: Not everyone is a pet person. Some people have allergies, while others simply might not like working in close proximity to animals. Consider a dog-free zone for employees who would rather not work around animals.
- Rethink Your Furnishings: You’ll have to rethink some aspects of your office furniture. For obvious reasons carpeting should be replaced with easy-to-clean flooring. Office chairs that could be easily stained should be replaced with ones that are easier to wipe down. Flimsy upholstery that might be punctured by a wayward claw should be replaced with leather. And place baby gates at the opening of u-shaped cubicles to keep dogs from wandering.
- Pet Play Spaces: To prevent the pets from getting bored or feeling too enclosed, designate an area, either on the premised or around it, where pets can get some exercise.
- Pet-Friendly Kitchen: You’ll need a kitchen with low water access, and enough room for the pets to be fed.
- Taking Care of Business: There should also be an outdoor area where pets can go do their business without it affecting office staff.
The workplace has changed. Loyalty and longevity are no longer the norm. That’s forced employers to explore a range of benefits, perks and compensation strategies for their employees. If you’re thinking of creating a pet-friendly work environment and need advice, contact us. Alliance Corporate Services has access to hundreds of thousands of pieces. We’ll gladly assist you in selecting pieces right for your office, and your pets.