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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

About office dog

179 replies

onesupplied · 03/04/2017 20:16

Name changed as it's identifying.

I work in an open plan office. A new manager has recently started bringing her dog to work, which has free roam of the place.

My problem is that I hate dogs; in fact I am scared of them. I got bitten when I was a kid and have always been nervous around them. Aside from the fact that it makes me nervous, it smells, keeps nosing around in people's belongings and my colleagues think it's hilarious that I'm scared and keep mocking me.

It's a reasonably formal office with around 40 employees.

AIBU to think that the office is not a place for a dog?

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 03/04/2017 20:23

I would love to be able to bring my dog to work but there would be massive practical issues with that including other people not wanting a dog near them so you anbu. Could you suggest that the dog is restricted to certain areas of the office, although that may be difficult if that person manages you. Is there another manager you could approach about the issue?

Hillfarmer · 03/04/2017 20:24

It's not ok if you're not ok with it. Doesn't matter whether it's because you are scared or allergic or it's smelly/whatever. You work there. Nobody polled the office to check whether it was ok with everybody...I don't think that's reasonable.

You need to raise this with your boss sooner or later. It doesn't matter if 39 other people don't mind, you shouldn't have this foisted on you.

beautifulgirls · 03/04/2017 20:25

You need to talk to your own manager about this and make your views formally known. You should not in most office situations have to work with a dog there that makes you feel uncomfortable with the only possible exception if this is some sort of assistance dog for the person concerned - though I doubt that from your post.

ImperialBlether · 03/04/2017 20:26

I would really hate this! I'd have to leave; dogs really scare me.

Is the manager the owner? If not, take it higher.

Owllady · 03/04/2017 20:26

Is it a working or therapy dog?
I think if not then you have a point if it's open plan

BeansMcCready · 03/04/2017 20:27

I would hate that! I worked somewhere where a colleague brought her dog to work when there were thunderstorms because it escaped from home out of fright and that was bad enough! YANBU

Nocabbageinmyeye · 03/04/2017 20:27

Yanbu, I would hate this. Definitely complain about the dog and I'd complain about the laughing colleagues too while I was at it but complain about the dog asap as the sooner these things are acted on the better

ImperialBlether · 03/04/2017 20:27

A therapy dog wouldn't be roaming around the office.

ijustwannadance · 03/04/2017 20:28

I don't know how any manager would think this was ok. Your colleagues are knobheads too.

Original poster

onesupplied · 03/04/2017 20:29

It is not a working or therapy dog.

The manager has her own office but chucks the dog out into the open plan part as it apparently annoys her otherwise.

Its so embarrassing as I know its irrational to be scared but dogs just make me nervous and I can't help but want to move away from them. My colleagues have been laughing at me all afternoon but I can't help my reactions.

OP posts:

MrsGsnow18 · 03/04/2017 20:30

I love dogs but I don't think this is acceptable. There are lots of issues, the smell, it's rooting around in people's things, people could be allergic or as you are scared of dogs. Also though surely it's majorly distracting!

Miniwookie · 03/04/2017 20:31

Say you're allergic. Yanbu BTW.

edwinbear · 03/04/2017 20:32

I don't like dogs either and would find this very odd in a professional environment. I hate the way they come up and sniff at you and paw all over your clothes. It's to be expected in the park, but I'd be cross about getting dog all over my suits.

ClopySow · 03/04/2017 20:33

I love dogs. The office dog does my head in. It's spoiled and hasn't been trained not to jump up on you. I can see the owner looking at me like i'm a right miserable cow when i give a po face to her boisterous puppy who jumps up on me and rips my tights.

BerylStreep · 03/04/2017 20:34

Definitely not ok.

Can you speak to your manager informally and explain that you really dislike dogs? Is it your manager or another manager who has the dog?

I would also e-mail your colleagues to say that them laughing about this is not funny and you would appreciate if they would stop.

If all else fails, go sick, and I don't say that lightly.

StillDrivingMeBonkers · 03/04/2017 20:37

Do you have an HR department?

MetalMidget · 03/04/2017 20:40

I'd live to have an office dog (preferably mine), but it wouldn't be on if someone was scared or allergic. It's not really that irrational to be scared of them, they have teeth. I'm scared of daddy long legs. THAT'S irrational. If someone brought in Dave the daddy long legs and he kept wafting in my general direction, I'd be a bloody wreck.

PovertyPain · 03/04/2017 20:44

I adore dogs, but that's out of order. You should start scratching around your ankles, then the next day say you've been bitten by something and it's become infected. Obviously you'll need to wear a dressing on your ankle and, no you don't want to take it off because the bites look disgusting. Of course, the last time you had bites like that, you were a child and they were flea bites. We'll see how the others find having a dog in the office is. 😈

chocatoo · 03/04/2017 20:44

I don't like dogs either. Really feel for you and your colleagues are out of line making you feel uncomfortable about it. Definitely talk to your manager about it all. Good luck.

BathTangle · 03/04/2017 20:45

Hang on, so she won't have it in her own office because it annoys her, but it's OK for it to bug everyone else? Not on.

The difficulty is in expressing your views in a way that doesn't sound whiney, but I really don't think it could be seen as unreasonable to say that actually a dog that the owner herself finds she cannot have in her office is not welcome in YOUR office space.

Wolfiefan · 03/04/2017 20:46

I love dogs but it annoys her so she chucks it out to irritate you? Completely unreasonable. Do you have an HR department?

Redyellowpinkblue · 03/04/2017 20:47

Oh I would hate it, I really really dislike dogs, especially the smell and slobber. I'd have to raise it with the powers that be, it's not exactly usual to allow dogs in an office is it?!

whatatod0 · 03/04/2017 20:49

I think a quite word with your boss to explain that you are terrified of dogs due to a childhood incident, and that you find it impossible to concentrate on your work with a dog wandering around would be a polite way to bring the matter up.
How would you be if it was kept in your managers closed office? Would that be compromise you could offer?

sonjadog · 03/04/2017 20:50

Have you asked her not to bring her dog because you are scared of it? That would be the first thing to do.

Goldfishjane · 03/04/2017 20:51

I like dogs but an office dog? No. Ugh. amd it's outrageous that she lets the dog out to annoy you because it's annoying her.

I bet there's others who don't like but aren't showing it.

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