Dogs in offices

[ApplePenPineapplePen]

RANT: I do not understand how or why it became acceptable for people in office jobs to take dogs to work. A workplace is no place for pets. Get a dogsitter or don't have a pet or change job. I don't want their hounds near me i don't want their hairs on my office chair. Am I being unreasonable to think the starting position should be no animals in offices? Rant over.

More calmly, I have 2 reasons that I want to avoid dogs - a severe allergy plus a previous dog attack leaving me generally nervous and stressed around dogs. Work is aware of my allergy and now office returns are being discussed, some measures are in place to minimise my exposure.

But what if that weren't the case though and I just didn't like them? Is it for the individual to check if there are animals in the office before they accept the job? Or should employers disclose in job ads?

Of course I exclude guide dogs/hearing dogs or similar.

AIBU to think the default position should be no dogs in offices?

Companies put a lot of thought into the package they offer employees, and ongoing surveys asking employees or potential employees what perks they would value most are a big part of it. Some people want a year off on full pay when they have a child, some want a fully paid health-club membership, some want complete freedom about when and where they work, some want a “fun” office with games and free food and drink, some want to be able to bring their dog to work with them. Each policy will attract some more than others, each will cost a certain amount. The company will put together the best package they can within budget constraints to attract the workforce they need. If that includes a dog-friendly policy, what’s the harm in that?

I've never worked in an office that didn’t allow dogs in 15 years of working. I genuinely don’t understand why you’d want to work in places like this, it’s clear you wouldn’t fit in to the companies.

I think that's pretty rare TBH.
And I don't want to work in places like this. What made you think I did?

One office a lady was scared of dogs, she sat on her own away from everyone else, can’t have been much fun!

That poor woman!! If you don't have a phobia, you can't imagine how stressful that might be, and how it feels to be constantly on edge when you're trying to do your job.

Did you ever do anything to help her? Ask if she was ok? Or did you just all put your mutts first and sniff at how boring she must be?

Your rights don’t mean that dogs can’t come if the owners want them

Actually that's exactly what having employment rights mean. Animals don't have employment rights. And 'rights' don't mean 'getting to do whatever I want' (such as being a dog in) - it's about being safe, comfortable and treated fairly in a work environment.

You haven't answered that, seeing as you believe in the principle of employees can bring who they want I got the office, could I bring a newborn baby in? They mostly sleep and no one is ever allergic or has a phobia of newborn babies

Realistically though, if you kicked up a huge fuss in the first few weeks of working because you don’t like dogs when the owners and employees all have dogs - is it likely you’d pass probation?

Again, I'd never work in a place like this (I'm a teacher so don't have to except once a term when it's Being Your Dog to Work Day and I avoid everyone else like the plague) so a moot point really

Some people want a year off on full pay when they have a child

Do you mean maternity leave? That's not a perk, it's a statutory right.

@NiceGerbil

Surely a person who had a guide dog would not be expected to walk down the stairs in that situation? They'd go in the fire lift?

I'm surprised that's not what happens in other buildings with lots of floors

I have never heard if a fire lift! Are these new?!

Had a gorgeous lab for 15 years. I still wouldn’t want a dog panting, slobbering, shedding hair & farting where I work.

One office a lady was scared of dogs, she sat on her own away from everyone else, can’t have been much fun!
Imagine thinking this was ok? To be so casually dismissive is stunning, tbh.

Comparing maternity rights to the right to have your dog in the office 😂😂😂
I'm off, you people are too bizarre to even try to argue with 😘

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop I hate to disappoint but my 11 month also comes to work with me for a few afternoons a week. I was going to get a nanny but my boss told me not to bother.

I ADORE dogs and still think it's unfair as a policy because even when a company says they won't have one if someone disagrees, there's real peer pressure (especially in cooler offices where this is more likely to be welcomed) not to be a 'killjoy' even if you're allergic or nervous of dogs.

My old place did a big song and dance about people being allowed to bring dogs in and I tried to explain to the board that more junior members of staff in my team wouldn't feel able to speak up and how would the senior management feel if someone wanted to bring in an animal they were allergic to (or have flowers in the office every day if they're allergic to pollen etc) or an animal they're genuinely scared of like a tarantula or snake. It would be so bad for productivity and staff happiness. Their response of course was to pretend to take my feedback as a director into account, then go ahead with the policy and set up an Instagram account for the dog of the boss...

I'm so glad I work for myself now, for this and many other reasons.

Disclaimer: I did ONCE bring my house bunny to work as my kitchen flooded, but came in early and stayed in my office with her all day then cleaned the hell out of it (only her hair as she was an Angel and litter trained) after work but even then I felt terrible about doing it as I knew a more junior staff member wouldn't have been able to, and I would never have done it for more than the day, I just couldn't get her into bunny boarding as it happened overnight.

Anyway, OP - you're totally right to think it's an unfair thing to allow in a workplace.

[quote 21Flora]@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop I hate to disappoint but my 11 month also comes to work with me for a few afternoons a week. I was going to get a nanny but my boss told me not to bother.[/quote]
Flippin Nora, your work sounds carnage 😂

Although I'm sorry, I'm not disappointed in the least. Sorry if that's the effect you were going for

[quote 21Flora]@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop A reasonable adjustment would be a pet free zone, not removal of all pets!

I just don’t understand why people expect an entire organisation to change. I am allergic to cats so wouldn’t take a job in a vets, however good it was, because I’m allergic to cats. At some point personal responsibility has to come into it surely. If you go for an interview and there are lots of dogs, maybe accept that it might not be the job for you![/quote]
What if you worked in an office in a job you loved then your boss decided people could bring their cats in daily? Wouldn't you feel upset that your allergy wasn't taken into account? You'd have to take medication every day (that might not fully alleviate the symptoms), have allergic reactions every day or look for a new job. You'd be ok with that?

A year of parental leave in which the company tops up any legally required stipend to full salary not a statutory right in the countries I’ve worked in, but it has been a perk at the companies I’ve worked at in those countries.

@youvegottenminuteslynn she would obviously get over herself and hide in the corner being un-fun as her colleagues do fuck all about it

@GreyhoundG1rl

One office a lady was scared of dogs, she sat on her own away from everyone else, can’t have been much fun! Imagine thinking this was ok? To be so casually dismissive is stunning, tbh.

That's actually made me bristle that people are treated this way simply because they don't adore dogs. This is what I mean about OTT dog people and why I don't trust them, they don't value the feelings of human beings

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop It isn’t. We go out and carry out our countryside inspections, come back. My daughter has a nap, the dog goes to sleep under my desk and I type up my notes. All very relaxed.

[quote 21Flora]@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop It isn’t. We go out and carry out our countryside inspections, come back. My daughter has a nap, the dog goes to sleep under my desk and I type up my notes. All very relaxed.[/quote]
Relaxed for you is what you mean.

Why are people so angry at the thought of dogs in offices? Why are offices any less suitable for dogs than humans? Dogs like being around people. (I get not all people like dogs. But not all people like people).

Also if you have a dog you do have caring responsibilities and that should be recognised and respected just like any caring responsibilities. (There is a legal duty for animal welfare).

@Blossomtoes

Dogs in offices are ubiquitous in the Army, just about every office has at least one. They’re great stress busters.

We had loads when I worked for the MOD as a civil servant. Some were fine, some were a pain in the arse, some used to wander the building. One memorable day the Chief Of Staff's dog decided to have a fight with another dog; there was snarling and barking and shouting, livened up an afternoon!

Relaxed for you is what you mean.

Indeed.

No one is gonna be that dick who says "we actually find it quite annoying that you bring two other beings into the office when this is a workplace" but they will be thinking it

Why are offices any less suitable for dogs than humans?

Well when a dog can learn to type and answer the phone I'd see your point, but I personally don't have the time or inclination to explain why offices are fit for human beings not dogs

Dogs like being around people. (I get not all people like dogs. But not all people like people).

But re people who don't like people - the other people need to be there. That is the categorical difference. Dogs don't need to be there.

@youvegottenminuteslynn Yeah, it is. I get paid really well to walk around the countryside and check assets with my daughter in the baby carrier and my dog.

Nobody else I work with cares, including the boss who suggested it. As long as my work gets done to a high standard my boss is happy, which she is.

I don't like dogs or kids in the workplace, neither are cute

Personally i would love this as long as the dog is well behaved but I understand it's not for everyone

Also if you have a dog you do have caring responsibilities and that should be recognised and respected just like any caring responsibilities. (There is a legal duty for animal welfare).

And yet people who have caring duties for elderley relatives or children seem to manage to not bring their loved ones onto work.

Not that it matters. Caring for a dog is not the same as caring for a dependent human being who can't be left alone all day.

Bottom line - if you are out the home for such long hours and don't have provision to have your dog cared for, you should not be a dog owner.