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Are dog policies right for your small business?Kristen Valek
Are they? An International Journal of Workplace Health Management study (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/07/companies-embrace-practice-of-bring-your-dog-to-work/) reports that bringing your dog to work lowers stress and increases employee satisfaction, motivation, and morale. Bringing your dog to work policies also ensure that employees take short breaks throughout the day, which boosts employee well-being and productivity. If most of your employees are dog-lovers, a pooch policy is beneficial in creating a friendly, amicable environment for your workspace. What about employee safety? Take Amazon’s strategy-- they require a strict application process. All dogs that wish to become certified workplace dogs must be up to date on all vaccinations to apply, and upon being accepted, must complete a trial period. If they make it through the test with no aggressive or distracting behavior, they are welcome to join their owners to work everyday there forward. Don’t worry, you don’t have to turn your work environment into a dog park. Many companies require dogs to remain on a leash during the workday. Others require dogs to stay behind a baby gate for cubicles and closed doors for stand-alone offices. Also, all owners must clean up after their own canine companion. It is important to note that if someone gets hurt at the office because of your business’s dog policy, you could be liable. Have your employees that wish to bring their furry friends sign an indemnification agreement to transfer liability to them and not your small business. Large companies that already provide this luxury:
Small businesses that allow dogs in the workplace:
Is it right for your small business? Many startups and small businesses with a laid-back atmosphere are embracing bring-your-dog-to-work policies. However, for some businesses dogs in the workplace might sound a lot better in theory than they are realistically. For instance, consider the number of allergic workers or cat people you are currently employing. If a dog policy ends up being a source of contention instead of the perk it was designed as, it is probably not right for your business. Perhaps you should survey your workers’ opinions beforehand. If you get a green light, introduce dogs gradually such as once a week to see how your employees respond. If dogs in the office are merely a distraction you should probably leave this policy for Google. Logistics are also a defining topic to consider. Can your office accommodate canine companions? Is there a nearby green space for dogs to do their business? If there simply is not enough room for dogs to join their owners at work, it is probably best not to force a bring-your-dog-to-work policy. However, if your staff is on board, your office space is inviting, and you have the proper rules established to make a pooch policy a success, by all means enstate it! It really can help employees feel satisfaction in their job and improve the overall atmosphere of your business’s workplace. |
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