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Original poster

Dogs in the office

443 replies

banjocat · 17/01/2024 15:39

I've recently started at a new workplace.

Someone in the same office but from another team brings her dog in, and has been doing this since before I started.

It's a very large open plan office, around 30 computers in there, and also members of the public come into the front area (where there is a customer facing desk).

I have mild dog allergies. Not to the extent that it really causes a problem, but if the dog came and sat near me (which he sometimes does) I have to move away from him.

Despite my allergies I do like dogs, but I suppose I'm just surprised that no one mentioned or checked with me that there would be a dog in the office. With such a flow of staff and people through the space, there are bound to be people with allergies or other problems wtih dogs - I'm kind of surprised that this is allowed and just seems to be in place every week.

I don't feel I can say anything without it creating bad feeling as it's an established routine now and lots of colleagues love the dog.

Are dogs in the office becoming the norm now?

AIBU to think it's a bit rude not to check with everyone who is working there?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
lieselotte · 30/10/2024 08:12

I know this is an older thread but I was walking past an estate agents the other day and a couple were in there with a dog.

It is rapidly getting to the point where people who aren't keen on dogs have a significant problem in finding a job they can do and not be bothered by them.

Years back I worked in a library, I bet they're allowed in libraries now as well.

Nanny0gg · 29/10/2024 17:58

Bloody Zombie!

Nanny0gg · 29/10/2024 17:57

Ginmonkeyagain · 19/01/2024 07:29

Also hot, noisy, brightly lit offices are not especially great for dogs

Not to mention taking them on public transport. I can't imagine many dogs like the Tube

garlictwist · 29/10/2024 17:40

KnickerlessParsons · 17/01/2024 15:55

Dogs have no place in offices. I couldn't work in an office if there was a dog there - I'm frightened of them.
I can just about tolerate a guide dog or other support dog as they are so well trained, but I'd still be uneasy all day and probably wouldn't work as well as I would otherwise.

This. We have a few guide dogs in our office as I work in disability support but there is no way I could work with a pet dog. I do not like them. The guide dogs are barely noticeable they are so quiet and well behaved.

Noshowlomo · 29/10/2024 17:28

@DBD1975 you're 9 months late

DBD1975 · 29/10/2024 16:32

Find another job.

lieselotte · 19/01/2024 14:32

Remember please when you're on holiday, any downtime must be spent either

  1. Reading - preferably books on employment law

I think MNers need to brush up on their consumer law (totally misses point of thread)

Our old office allowed dogs because there were individual/small group offices. The new office is open plan, so no dogs as there is nowhere to keep them away from other people.

Livelifelaughter · 19/01/2024 14:27

If you read OPs post, she is saying her reaction is mild and only occurs if the dog is in proximity. Maybe the answer is to not suggest the dog is banned or similar which may well piss her colleagues off or make her look difficult in a new job but just to gently laugh it off when the dog comes near her "oops can you go back to x because as cute as you are I am a bit allergic"

SwimmingWorrier · 19/01/2024 14:17

Goldenbear · 19/01/2024 13:49

Not really an odd question. I know the complications of this at DH's workplace is a reason for the withdrawal of offer. Plus they have talent who want a dog free zone.

Show quote history

I think it would depend on the company and how the talent felt.

To be fair when we do have dogs in occasionally they are well behaved and nobody is allergic.

Goldenbear · 19/01/2024 13:49

clickifyouwanna · 19/01/2024 10:19

You'll be known as that employee - whether that bothers you or not, whether it hinders your promotional prospects who knows, I suspect someone who asks this question has form and there's more coming - there always is.😂

Show quote history

Not really an odd question. I know the complications of this at DH's workplace is a reason for the withdrawal of offer. Plus they have talent who want a dog free zone.

VanGoghsDog · 19/01/2024 13:22

The clear answer is to give the anti histamine to the dog so it sleeps and stays away from allergic people. Win-win!

vodkaredbullgirl · 19/01/2024 13:18

ArabellaScott · 19/01/2024 13:16

Do anti histamines not make one drowsy? Are there side effects?

You can get non drowsy ones.

ArabellaScott · 19/01/2024 13:16

Do anti histamines not make one drowsy? Are there side effects?

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 13:13

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 09:31

@clickifyouwanna @SwimmingWorrier

Remember please when you're on holiday, any downtime must be spent either

  1. Reading - preferably books on employment law
  2. Swimming - whatever time of day or night
  3. Enjoying yourself, by not being on any SM or forums
  4. Going on any forums, makes you "odd", remember that?

Have I missed anything @KarenNotAKaren?

I need you to instruct me on holiday etiquette, so no one can say "who goes on MN , whilst on holiday", I mean who stays up until 2am arguing on MN?

I do. Obviously. I don’t sleep much. So sue me.

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 13:10

ClareBlue · 19/01/2024 08:21

Agree. I once had a 5 day old kid goat on my knee at the start of a zoom call. There is nothing that lifts the spirits more than a kid goat and it was only for two minutes for everyone to see. I was told to put him away as the workplace wasn't the place for animals😥but then I was in the office and everyone was fussing over a dog someone had brought in. Always favouritism to dogs.

Show quote history

I wish my Zoom calls at work involved goats!

bringincrazyback · 19/01/2024 12:18

Livelifelaughter · 19/01/2024 08:43

OP says she has a mild reaction not enough to cause a problem....so she either complains about the dog which she is entitled to do and runs the risk of coming across as difficult during her probation or sucks it up ... that's the reality. We can debate the rights and wrong but when you are in a new job you want to be a team player that gets on with people.

You also want to be in reasonable comfort in order to do your best work. Speaking from experience even a mild fur allergy is detrimental to performance. When I worked somewhere that allowed a dog in the office I was constantly popping antihistamines, which don't always mitigate symptoms btw, so at times I'd have fits of sneezing, plus having red eyes at times. Not very professional or conducive to productivity. Being in reasonable physical shape at work is just as important career-wise as being a team player.

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 10:35

SwimmingWorrier · 19/01/2024 10:25

Reading - preferably books on employment law

I'm just looking on Amazon for one to take on my beach holiday.

I think asking @KarenNotAKaren might be a good idea, she'll know best!

SwimmingWorrier · 19/01/2024 10:25

Reading - preferably books on employment law

I'm just looking on Amazon for one to take on my beach holiday.

clickifyouwanna · 19/01/2024 10:19

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 09:24

It is a perfectly legitimate question and shouldn't result in any pushback from the business.

https://dohr.co.uk/knowledgebase/should-dogs-be-allowed-in-the-workplace/

Liability
One consideration which must be taken into account is who is liable for the dog while it is at work and what happens if there is an incident or accident involving the dog. Examples may include someone falling over the dog, the dog breaking something (perhaps with the swipe of a powerful tail or just in moving around the office and knocking something over), or the dog biting someone. As you will hear after my interview on You and Yours, someone contacted the programme to say they had been bitten by a dog in the office and was injured so badly they had to go to hospital. In this instance, they have had an accident at work and it is reportable to the Health and Safety Executive. Who is liable? The employee who brought the dog into work, or the company for allowing dogs in the office. As an employer allowing dogs into the workplace, you may need to get employees to sign a waiver taking full responsibility for their dog and to demonstrate they have adequate insurance in the event of an incident.

Insurance
If you are going to allow dogs into your workplace, it is strongly advised that you discuss your liabilities with your insurance company to ensure you have adequate cover in the event of a claim against the business.

Show quote history

You'll be known as that employee - whether that bothers you or not, whether it hinders your promotional prospects who knows, I suspect someone who asks this question has form and there's more coming - there always is.😂

ZiriForGood · 19/01/2024 09:37

keylemon · 19/01/2024 07:52

The office seems to be very happy to have the dog. If the dog is hypoallergenic they do not have to worry about telling you. The person working may not be just saving money. You should not talk about what you do not know. The dog is not going anywhere so you either speak to HR or look for another job.

Edited

Hypoallergenic dog is a myth. Claiming it is either lying or deluded.

Similarly the claim about the office being happy with the dog - probably it means small number making happy noises and majority being indifferent or annoyed. You can see on this thread how many people don't find joy in other people's dogs at work.

If the dog wasn't going anywhere and just sit on the owner's place, it would solve the situation at hand. Actually, an intelligent dog owner would want to know about the issue and make sure the dog doesn't wander into OP's personal space. Failing to do so increases the risk that it would come to the test of priorities.

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 09:31

@clickifyouwanna @SwimmingWorrier

Remember please when you're on holiday, any downtime must be spent either

  1. Reading - preferably books on employment law
  2. Swimming - whatever time of day or night
  3. Enjoying yourself, by not being on any SM or forums
  4. Going on any forums, makes you "odd", remember that?

Have I missed anything @KarenNotAKaren?

I need you to instruct me on holiday etiquette, so no one can say "who goes on MN , whilst on holiday", I mean who stays up until 2am arguing on MN?

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 09:24

clickifyouwanna · 19/01/2024 09:18

Asking about company insurance is a very unusual question - it will raise eyebrows, you will have drawn attention to yourself and not in a good way. If first impressions are a thing - you’ll not have created a good one.

Show quote history

It is a perfectly legitimate question and shouldn't result in any pushback from the business.

https://dohr.co.uk/knowledgebase/should-dogs-be-allowed-in-the-workplace/

Liability
One consideration which must be taken into account is who is liable for the dog while it is at work and what happens if there is an incident or accident involving the dog. Examples may include someone falling over the dog, the dog breaking something (perhaps with the swipe of a powerful tail or just in moving around the office and knocking something over), or the dog biting someone. As you will hear after my interview on You and Yours, someone contacted the programme to say they had been bitten by a dog in the office and was injured so badly they had to go to hospital. In this instance, they have had an accident at work and it is reportable to the Health and Safety Executive. Who is liable? The employee who brought the dog into work, or the company for allowing dogs in the office. As an employer allowing dogs into the workplace, you may need to get employees to sign a waiver taking full responsibility for their dog and to demonstrate they have adequate insurance in the event of an incident.

Insurance
If you are going to allow dogs into your workplace, it is strongly advised that you discuss your liabilities with your insurance company to ensure you have adequate cover in the event of a claim against the business.

clickifyouwanna · 19/01/2024 09:18

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 09:01

Why would you have a target on your back?

I haven't read the whole thread, but how big is the company? Is this a regional office of a multinational? Has the manager gone rogue by allowing dogs in the office? Are HR even aware there are animals in the office?

This is one of those situations where everything is OK until it isn't.

The OP shouldn't be exposed to dogs in the office unless she is completely comfortable with it. Her statutory rights to a safe and healthy workplace trump another colleague's 'right' to bring in a dog.

Show quote history

Asking about company insurance is a very unusual question - it will raise eyebrows, you will have drawn attention to yourself and not in a good way. If first impressions are a thing - you’ll not have created a good one.

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 09:02

@KarenNotAKaren i post on MN whilst on holiday, also on FB, catch up with news, read emails, keep in touch with friends

Today, we've spent a leisurely breakfast, a few hours with elephants, stopped for lunch now, long relaxing one. I'm sorting photos, catching up your anger that kept you awake until gone 2!

I could've predicted your comment, funnily enough!

I'm having a wonderful time, posting on MN isn't making me rage...... not like dogs in the office are making you rage!

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 09:01

clickifyouwanna · 19/01/2024 08:39

It’s not a reasonable question and neither is asking to see all their other insurance policies. They’ll give you an answer but you’ll have a target on your head, so you better be very good at your job.

Show quote history

Why would you have a target on your back?

I haven't read the whole thread, but how big is the company? Is this a regional office of a multinational? Has the manager gone rogue by allowing dogs in the office? Are HR even aware there are animals in the office?

This is one of those situations where everything is OK until it isn't.

The OP shouldn't be exposed to dogs in the office unless she is completely comfortable with it. Her statutory rights to a safe and healthy workplace trump another colleague's 'right' to bring in a dog.