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AIBU?

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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:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 19/01/2024 08:57

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

There’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. This just means they produce less dander.

Hypoallergenic dogs cause severe asthma for me. Just takes a bit longer to not be able to breathe than with a normal dog.

clickifyouwanna · 19/01/2024 08:54

SwimmingWorrier · 19/01/2024 08:41

@KarenNotAKaren just because the poster is on Mumsnet doesn't mean they aren't having a good holiday.

I'm not in awe of my boss. I am so happy it's Friday and I won't see him for two days. He's not stupid though. If he thought the employee was that amazing even though she's allergic he would make adjustments. She probably won't fit in though.

You are not coming across well.

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Shit - I go on MN on holidays, I hadn’t realised that was the wrong thing to do. This thread is so useful - thanks op!

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.

SwimmingWorrier · 19/01/2024 08:41

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 08:02

Wow who posts on MN on their holiday. Are you not having a good time?

Nobody has advocated for kids in the workplace. HTH.

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@KarenNotAKaren just because the poster is on Mumsnet doesn't mean they aren't having a good holiday.

I'm not in awe of my boss. I am so happy it's Friday and I won't see him for two days. He's not stupid though. If he thought the employee was that amazing even though she's allergic he would make adjustments. She probably won't fit in though.

You are not coming across well.

clickifyouwanna · 19/01/2024 08:39

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 08:16

Meh.

They should have insurance, so it is a reasonable question.

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.

ClareBlue · 19/01/2024 08:21

GasPanic · 17/01/2024 16:30

Seems a bit crazy to me. If you are going to allow one pet, why not allow others ?

Then you'd get an office overrun with snakes, squawking parrots, dogs, cats and guinea pigs.

Or if you only allow dogs then surely you get accused of favouritism ?

Would they allow me to bring in my Tarantula ? It likes to roam.

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.

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 08:16

Meh.

They should have insurance, so it is a reasonable question.

MadameCamembert · 19/01/2024 08:10

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 08:06

You could ask HR for a copy of the company's insurance with reference to employee dogs and also what their sickness policy is with relation to dog related injuries and/or illness.

If they don't currently have insurance to cover employee dogs, it might focus their minds.

Oh ducking hell, as a new starter, definitely don’t take that advice. You’ll be labelled as a nightmare behind your back. Point out the problem with the dog and ask for an alternative plan to accommodate you by all means but do not do the above.

ThisOldThang · 19/01/2024 08:06

You could ask HR for a copy of the company's insurance with reference to employee dogs and also what their sickness policy is with relation to dog related injuries and/or illness.

If they don't currently have insurance to cover employee dogs, it might focus their minds.

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 08:02

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 02:05

Ah but sweetie...... I'm not currently in the uk! I'm just lying in bed while DH snoozes a little longer, then we will be going down to breakfast, then we will have a quick swim in the pool, before being picked up at midday for an afternoon out.

You on the other hand ..... 🤔

BTW my dog is safely being looked after whilst I'm away, so all is good.

Do try and get some sleep though.... 2am and still being irate is no good for you.

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Wow who posts on MN on their holiday. Are you not having a good time?

Nobody has advocated for kids in the workplace. HTH.

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 08:01

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 01:42

I swear constantly, sometimes it’s an indication that I’m happy!

If it was just plain old “I don’t like dogs” and it was already a dog friendly workplace then legally speaking - tough shit on the employer.

But I like to think a decent employer would value a skilled worker over a colleague’s dog and reach some sort of compromise

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BTW I meant “tough shit on the employee” not employer, bloody typos changing the entire post context 🤣

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 08:01

SleepyHeadd · 19/01/2024 02:04

I’m sure this will be an unpopular opinion but I’ll just say it anyway.
If somebody is allergic to or scared of my dog then that’s their problem.
Our dog is an assistance dog so very well trained, she comes virtually everywhere with us, if somebody is scared of her I’m not going to remove her from where we are.
I really do empathise for people with phobias, I have my own phobia and it’s awful but I don’t expect others to change the way they live to fit around my phobia, it’s for me to deal with.
I have hayfever but I wouldn’t object to somebody having flowers in the office, I’d just take an antihistamine and deal with it.

Well no it’s not it’s your employers problem, and they would have to make reasonable adjustments.

Thats good for you you would take anitihistemines but other people shouldn’t have to just tolerate their alleged in the workplace

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.

Ginmonkeyagain · 19/01/2024 07:29

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

rookiemere · 19/01/2024 07:12

Copperoliverbear · 19/01/2024 05:51

I love dogs in the office, they bring so much joy, so sad so many have to be left at home alone for hours. X

They don't bring joy to those with allergies or phobias.

Dogs with good owners won't be left alone for hours and hours - we have a dog and alternate wfh and use a dog walker. we factored in the costs when getting the dog.

MadameCamembert · 19/01/2024 06:54

KarenNotAKaren · 19/01/2024 01:43

Why do you have a dog if you work 6 days a week? That’s so irresponsible and unfair on the dog

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No, it’s not. We go for plenty of walks and it’s the same otherwise as being at home.

EvergreenHouse · 19/01/2024 06:26

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 02:05

Ah but sweetie...... I'm not currently in the uk! I'm just lying in bed while DH snoozes a little longer, then we will be going down to breakfast, then we will have a quick swim in the pool, before being picked up at midday for an afternoon out.

You on the other hand ..... 🤔

BTW my dog is safely being looked after whilst I'm away, so all is good.

Do try and get some sleep though.... 2am and still being irate is no good for you.

Show quote history

You are coming across really badly. Why are some dog people so defensive that not everybody loves their pooches as much as they do?

If you make a statement and are challenged, then it’s reasonable to present the ‘evidence’. When you can’t find it, telling the other person to do so because they apparently have more time than you with your amazing fulfilled life, is just embarrassing. As is your use of ‘sweetie’.

Copperoliverbear · 19/01/2024 05:51

I love dogs in the office, they bring so much joy, so sad so many have to be left at home alone for hours. X

Bearbookagainandagain · 19/01/2024 04:15

SleepyHeadd · 19/01/2024 02:04

I’m sure this will be an unpopular opinion but I’ll just say it anyway.
If somebody is allergic to or scared of my dog then that’s their problem.
Our dog is an assistance dog so very well trained, she comes virtually everywhere with us, if somebody is scared of her I’m not going to remove her from where we are.
I really do empathise for people with phobias, I have my own phobia and it’s awful but I don’t expect others to change the way they live to fit around my phobia, it’s for me to deal with.
I have hayfever but I wouldn’t object to somebody having flowers in the office, I’d just take an antihistamine and deal with it.

But why would you recruit someone and not let them know there is a dog in the office/open space? That was the point of the OP.

Bearbookagainandagain · 19/01/2024 04:12

paintingvenice · 17/01/2024 15:50

I don’t think they can keep checking with staff if everyone is ok with it, or ask each new starter. Many people who work in dog friendly offices and take their dogs in do so out of need.

When I go into the office, with commute time I am out of the house for 10 hours, there is no way I could leave my dog at home for that long. I took my job based on the fact that the office would allow me to take the dog in. If a new starter suddenly said no, then I wouldn’t be able to go into work. Dog friendly offices are seen as a perk to help out members of staff with care arrangements. If you kick off then I am not sure what you want this person to do? They won’t be able to just leave their dog for a whole working day.

The firm should’ve let you know, but unless your allergy is severe you should be ok in a room large enough to accommodate 30+ people.

Edited

With that logic, I'm gonna start taking my kids to work and save myself 2.5k of nursery bills, brilliant!

user1477391263 · 19/01/2024 04:02

As other users have commented, it’s a H&S nightmare waiting to happen, and I’m actually really surprised that in these paranoid days, this has not prevented dogs being normalized in many offices. The occasional highly trained service dog is one thing (I am guessing they know how to cope with emergency situations and of course they would actually reduce their owner’s risk of injury), but have a bunch of “regular” dogs everywhere in some sort of urgent situation is going to cause havoc.

How does this work vis-a-vis transport? It’s 2024 and cities need to be pushing commuters towards public transport. Dogs on rush hour trains and trams are going to take up space and annoy/upset other commuters (it’s also not fair on the dogs). And if owners stick to cars because “Well, there is a commuter line but I want to be able to bring Sallie to work with me so a car is best,” this is going to slow down efforts to unclog the roads of British cities, already among the rich world’s most congested.

user1477391263 · 19/01/2024 03:55

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 08:09

The thing is I can (and do) avoid dog friendly cafes. I couldn’t avoid the workplace.

I can’t say I’ve seen it as common. In my last job one bloke would bring his in during school holidays because his wife was a teacher and wanted “a full break” in the holidays. TBF it was a little spaniel thing that caused no bother bad was walked regularly. It just stayed by his owners feet all day, didn’t bark, and was in his office (that was just his) not open plan so it didn’t bother me

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My ex boss had her dog in the office and it was a spaniel. My main thing with dogs is the smell (I loathe doggy smells, yuck) and spaniels are well known for being especially stinky. That dog stank and it barked and drove me mad. I was not the only one who felt that way, but of course nobody could say anything.

WandaWonder · 19/01/2024 02:21

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 02:14

That's not going to go down well!

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I put it down to 'my needs are more important than anyone else's and I have found a way for people to give me want I want and stuff anyone else'

kisstheblarney · 19/01/2024 02:14

SleepyHeadd · 19/01/2024 02:04

I’m sure this will be an unpopular opinion but I’ll just say it anyway.
If somebody is allergic to or scared of my dog then that’s their problem.
Our dog is an assistance dog so very well trained, she comes virtually everywhere with us, if somebody is scared of her I’m not going to remove her from where we are.
I really do empathise for people with phobias, I have my own phobia and it’s awful but I don’t expect others to change the way they live to fit around my phobia, it’s for me to deal with.
I have hayfever but I wouldn’t object to somebody having flowers in the office, I’d just take an antihistamine and deal with it.

That's not going to go down well!

DancingOnMoonbeams · 19/01/2024 02:07

I've never worked anywhere that allowed doggycare.

The only place I have seen them is in the Vet's Surgery, which is understandable.

I think your allergy trumps doggycare.