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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:
RenoDakota · 18/01/2024 09:42

One of my (many) ideas of hell. And that's without an allergy.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 18/01/2024 09:42

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:37

I wish my DH could just pop an anthisthemine when he’s around a cat.

So much misunderstanding about allergies.

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I can’t breathe. And if l stay in the room the asthma gets worse and worse until l guess it would kill me. Even with an inhaler.

But take a likkle anti histamine to stop it happening. 🙄They make no difference, it’s too severe.

A person with severe asthma would get a fair amount of support. A person with severe dog induced asthma is villified.

furryfrontbottom · 18/01/2024 09:41

Merrilydancing · 17/01/2024 23:05

Is it only dogs that are allowed as what about the cat people, can they bring in their cats? Then the hamster people might want to bring in their hamsters which might play havoc with the falcon people !

Sounds like a recipe for disaster!

I'd be getting a boa constrictor just to make the point.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:40

I used to love dogs and had dogs my whole life until DC were born but it’s increasingly hard to not dislike them when they’re badly trained, jumpy and everywhere

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:40

In fact we were once having a walk I summer and he had flip flops on, a cat came out of nowhere and scratched his foot, we needed an ambulance because the reaction was severe and instant!

Penguinmouse · 18/01/2024 09:40

I love dogs but offices are for people, not dogs (apart from service animals, of course.)

This attitude of “well people would have to pay for dog walkers and it would piss them off” - well, that’s life and the responsibility of owning a pet. Saying “just manage your allergy with an antihistamine” is a piss take really.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:37

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 18/01/2024 09:36

Like I said most allergies are manageable with antihistamines and people just get on with life

If only this were true🙄

I wish my DH could just pop an anthisthemine when he’s around a cat.

So much misunderstanding about allergies.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 18/01/2024 09:36

Like I said most allergies are manageable with antihistamines and people just get on with life

If only this were true🙄

OvercookedSmile · 18/01/2024 09:35

@KarenNotAKaren I feel the same, I have had pets and my family had both dog and cats. Whilst I love my cat I would always put humans above animals. People that struggle to get on with other people will often say they prefer animals, I have met a few people over my life like this. Pets are captive companions so they don’t get a choice if they want to hang out with their owners do they. People don’t feel judged by animals, well that’s because their methods of communication are not sophisticated enough. Dogs love anyone that will give them a biscuit.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:34

Blomh · 18/01/2024 09:32

Well if I owned a company I wouldn’t have some random telling me what I was and wasn’t allowed to do in my own office.

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Well thank god you don’t run your own company because you WOULD have to make adjustments for disabled people’s me those with medical needs. Do you understand that people can’t just say “I’ll do what I want” like some spoilt child when it comes to taking on employees?

Fuck me the ableism in our society is grim.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 18/01/2024 09:32

If l was in an office with a dog, l would be extremely and severely unwell. Anti histamines don’t work.

If l didn’t know beforehand that l was going to be in an office with a dog, then my workplace is making me severely ill. Legislation minefield, and l’d be taking legal action. Absolutely. They are responsible for my health and safety.

Even though l love dogs. Can’t believe some of the comments on here!

Blomh · 18/01/2024 09:32

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:31

It’s absolutely reasonable to exclude dog if they aren’t there for work purposes.

Its illegal to not make reasonable adjustments for people who need them due to medical issues.

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Well if I owned a company I wouldn’t have some random telling me what I was and wasn’t allowed to do in my own office.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:32

paintingvenice · 18/01/2024 09:28

I always start an interview with a dog in the room with me when hiring- if mines not in the office that day I ‘borrow’ another. I always ask the candidates if they are comfortable with it. If they aren’t that’s absolutely fine, I move the dog out of the room. That candidate never makes it to second round though.

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Then I think they have had a lucky escape.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:31

Blomh · 18/01/2024 09:26

And they are allowed to say no, it’s not reasonable to exclude dogs. Reasonable adjustments doesn’t mean you can force them.

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It’s absolutely reasonable to exclude dog if they aren’t there for work purposes.

Its illegal to not make reasonable adjustments for people who need them due to medical issues.

myphoneisbroken · 18/01/2024 09:30

paintingvenice · 18/01/2024 09:28

I always start an interview with a dog in the room with me when hiring- if mines not in the office that day I ‘borrow’ another. I always ask the candidates if they are comfortable with it. If they aren’t that’s absolutely fine, I move the dog out of the room. That candidate never makes it to second round though.

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Not how I would run my business, but each to their own!

paintingvenice · 18/01/2024 09:28

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:16

If they withdrew a job offer because the OP Has allergies that is discrimination!

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I always start an interview with a dog in the room with me when hiring- if mines not in the office that day I ‘borrow’ another. I always ask the candidates if they are comfortable with it. If they aren’t that’s absolutely fine, I move the dog out of the room. That candidate never makes it to second round though.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:27

Blomh · 18/01/2024 07:44

If they were to disclose at interview that they’re uncomfortable with it they wouldn’t be hired. If their reasons are medical that’s surely got to be discrimination?
DH’s boss has his dog at work. I’m sure he’d say it’s his company and he’ll have a dog there if he wants to. Companies are allowed to not hire you if your medical reasons mean you can’t do the job or be in the work environment.

Unless a dog is there for work purposes, such as a vet, they CAN do their job and it very much would be considered discrimination

Blomh · 18/01/2024 09:26

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:24

Wrong.

Perfectly acceptable to request reasonable adjustments. It’s called ‘the law’

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And they are allowed to say no, it’s not reasonable to exclude dogs. Reasonable adjustments doesn’t mean you can force them.

ImNotReallySpartacus · 18/01/2024 09:26

Your office sounds like a very unprofessional place to work.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:24

Blomh · 17/01/2024 23:59

It’s irrelevant that this is about a dog. The workplace has an established status quo that was in place before you arrived. When you join as a new starter you either accept it or don’t join if it doesn’t suit you. You don’t take the job then demand they change everything to accommodate you.

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Wrong.

Perfectly acceptable to request reasonable adjustments. It’s called ‘the law’

Haydenn · 18/01/2024 09:23

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:17

And how would you feel if a colleague brought in a massive bunch of polleny flower everyday and plonked them next to you and didn’t give a shit when you said it flared up your allergy?

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I have found over the years that large bunches of flowers regularly make their way into the office, and yes I think I would look like a nob if I said “can you please remove the flowers for Jan’s new baby/Sarah’s Birthday/Katie’s new job”

Like I said most allergies are manageable with antihistamines and people just get on with life.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:17

Haydenn · 17/01/2024 22:52

I have an allergy to pollen, I adjust by taking antihistamines. Most allergies are easily manageable in day to day life and many people easily go about their business without fuss.

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And how would you feel if a colleague brought in a massive bunch of polleny flower everyday and plonked them next to you and didn’t give a shit when you said it flared up your allergy?

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:16

Blomh · 17/01/2024 22:47

They should have told you when you applied and shouldn’t have hired you if you can’t be around dogs. They’re totally in the wrong for not disclosing this info.

If they withdrew a job offer because the OP Has allergies that is discrimination!

Blomh · 18/01/2024 09:10

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 08:05

There’s loads of people they just don’t say anything.

I also don’t think “as long as they ask when you start” is good enough. No one wants to ruffle feathers in their new workplace before they even have their first day!! I would also think if a new manager said “Are you OK with dogs in the office” - I don’t know if it’s her who is bringing the dog in or the kind of place where, if I said “No” then everyone would be told.

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I don’t think they should ask when you start. That’s too late. They should ask before hiring you.

KarenNotAKaren · 18/01/2024 09:09

I don’t get this “OP should have declared her allergy”. Why? No one expects a surprise dog in their new workplace! Should people with cat allergies also declare their allergy? Or allergies to bananas, or gluten?