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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About dogs in an office

99 replies

happymummyone · 06/08/2015 13:57

I'm not a dog lover. I've never met a dog I've liked. Some of you will probably say this is unreasonable enough on its own.

My question is, in an office, is it acceptable to bring a dog or dogs?

I I know it's ideal for dog lovers who work the 9-5 but don't want to leave their dog to pine at home but what about those that come to work and don't expect to have a dog pulling stuff out of our bins, slobbering on our lap or filling our noses with that dog smell that can be so unappealing to some?

What about those with allergies? Do they take an antihistamine and suck it up?

I'm not talking about service dogs here, they are beautifully trained, life giving animals.

Am I the only one that would rather not work with animals in the office?

OP posts:
PLUtoPlanet · 06/08/2015 18:37

I couldn't hack this either. You need a new job, not least because of the lazy attitude to H&S (the company's apparent raison d'être!!). What if the company were shut down for such violation?!

You're better off assuring your own orderly exit, with minimum cv damage and with great relief in your heart, as these are clearly not the colleagues for you!

Topseyt · 06/08/2015 18:39

If it is an assistance dog then legally it must be allowed in.

To be honest, it wouldn't bother me, even if it wasn't, though I might find it distracting.

I keep two dogs of my own.

Rainbunny · 06/08/2015 18:39

My DH's company allows dogs in his office, we love it tbh and DH takes our dog in sometimes on days when he doesn't have meetings. It's quite well organized though, the dogs have to be given a permit to be brought in, we provided all his vaccination information, an up to date dog license and there's a strict liability policy that if any dog bites or attacks another dog.human they are not allowed back. The dogs are in a cordoned off area so they don't bother everyone and there's a dog run and pooping area onsite as well. Everyone seems really happy with it. I think if anyone has allergies or doesn't like dogs they would allowed to sit away from the dog area.

LazyLohan · 06/08/2015 18:40

I don't think it's a problem, but only if it is made crystal clear at interview stage.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 06/08/2015 18:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ilovenannyplum · 06/08/2015 18:44

At my old job, there were 2 dogs in the office. One a small, old, lap dog that literally slept on her 'mums' desk all day - fine.
The other a great big bouncy Dalmatian puppy, yeah he wasn't so good. In the bins and the cupboards, licking your arm when you're on the phone to a customer. In fairness he wasn't there so much but it was very distracting.

I think it depends on the type of dog

VitaminCrumpet · 06/08/2015 18:46

Dogs do not belong in the office. It's not your home. It's a workplace. I couldn't work in an office where dogs were allows to run free. It's not professional, healthy or acceptable.

VitaminCrumpet · 06/08/2015 18:46

*allowed

maitaimojito · 06/08/2015 18:53

We have dogs in our office and most people enjoy having them there. I suspect one of my colleagues would rather not but she puts up with them.

I don't have a dog myself but I love having a dog come over for a fuss when I'm having a stressful day. It also gets me out of the office at lunchtime if I volunteer to go dog walking.

The last place I worked at also allowed dogs and they had a woman working there who was petrified of them. They were kept in a separate office when she was in and she used to ask someone to check they were locked up before she went out. It wasn't great for her but she knew about the dogs when she took the job so it was her choice.

I think if you knew about them before taking the job and everyone else is a dog lover then there isn't a lot you can do.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 06/08/2015 18:57

Boss used o have a massive dog where I worked. I think animals in workplaces are great as long as they are very well trained/behaved

Bails2014 · 06/08/2015 19:19

Before I left my old job I bought my dog in for an afternoon once, he was still only a puppy so no one got any work done but a good time was had by all. He was promptly banned from the office. :D

OH is a plumber and winter he's taken him to work, he sits in the van and keeps OH company and dog loving customers love him and those that don't like dogs don't invite him in!

I work from home now so I have my dog (and baby) in my office every day :D

Sunny67 · 06/08/2015 19:22

I take my two dogs to work every day. They are small and in my office with me and the door is closed at all times. They go into the other offices at lunch time for a fuss and a play and one of the men who works there brings them a treat each day. All very happy, they only go out of the offices to the other part of the works occasionally and under supervision as I know one person isn't keen on dogs. I wouldn't be at pleased about dogs going through bins or bugging other people but as much e are tucked away I don't see a problem.

ahbollocks · 06/08/2015 19:24

I love dogs but they are smelly. I never noticed until I moved out of my mum's house. I would hate all that you said OP

Sunny67 · 06/08/2015 19:25

Sorry, that should be mine are

ElviraCondomine · 06/08/2015 19:26

I would hate it. But then I once visited a place of worship to see if I wanted to move to there (it was marginally closer to home than the one I was attending) and was absolutely horrified to discover that there were 3 dogs who attended every week - that's taking all inclusive worship a step too far (I didn't move there, as you might imagine, not least because said dogs had free access to the children's programme without proper supervision)

maddening · 06/08/2015 19:30

I have asthma and am v Allergic to dogs so I would obviously hate it or be dead.

Original poster
happymummyone · 06/08/2015 19:48

As I said in the original post. Service dogs are well trained and necessary and I'd be a bit of a cow to complain about them when they are so vital to some people. They aren't my issue at all. And again, I had no idea dogs were allowed at work until after I started so I didn't take the job fully aware of the dog situation and then start complaining and for the main p

OP posts:
Original poster
happymummyone · 06/08/2015 19:49

From what I gather on this thread, dogs can be managed in an office if you have the space/facilities but outer office just doesn't. It's open plan, and too full of people let alone dogs. No way to cordon them off.

OP posts:
cosytoaster · 06/08/2015 20:09

I would love to be able to take my dog to work, I'd jump at any job that allowed this like a shot. I'd probably even take a pay cut. I'd also like to see other people's dogs at work, it'd just make for a much nicer working environment

CremeBrulee · 06/08/2015 20:16

I'm hideously allergic to dogs - I just couldn't work in an office with them, I'd be hospitalised by the end of day one!

nokidshere · 06/08/2015 20:21

I wouldn't take a job that allowed dogs in to work. And I would sue for constructive dismissal if I took a job without being told that dogs would be there.

If it's a new thing then I would expect an office vote - but if that vote was in the dogs favour I would leave anyway.

hibbleddible · 06/08/2015 20:24

I think it's nice to have well behaved dogs in an office, but then I like dogs.

It's not just small companies that have dogs, Amazon have dog offices too.

lemoncordial · 06/08/2015 20:28

Yanbu. Very distracting to have dogs in an office.

amicissimma · 06/08/2015 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

paulapompom · 06/08/2015 21:12

I couldn't work there. I am ridiculous over animals I love them and have never been able to have a dog, so would be overexcited with three about and probably get the dogs going crazy too, also can't resist getting involved with young children's games. I would do literally no work. If i were a client though i probably would think it was a chaotic office, especially for a h and s company.