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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Haydenn · 17/01/2024 15:42

Pretty common now, but most places do advertise it. Would you have really turned the job down if you knew? It sounds like a big office though, can’t you just ask for a desk on the other side of the room?

Original poster
banjocat · 17/01/2024 15:46

@Haydenn The dog walks around the room freely so can't get away from him. He's friendly and greets everyone which can be sweet (as I said, I do like dogs), but I am allergic.

He also has hyper times when he runs around a lot.

I think it's inconsiderate to just assume it's OK to bring your dog in when it's a large office where lots of people work, and many people do have allergies or other aversions to dogs.

The person whose dog it is thinks it's 'hypoallergenic'. As an allergy sufferer, I can confirm that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.

I just think the whole thing is a bit entitled, really?

OP posts:
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.

Betsyhilton · 17/01/2024 15:51

That's crazy. Would they let an employee bring their toddler to work and allow them to run around the place annoying other staff?

AlwaysGinPlease · 17/01/2024 15:51

It doesn't matter what you think, the employer allows it. If you are bothered, leave and find another job. Complain and risk everyone disliking you forever more.

FuckingHellAdele · 17/01/2024 15:51

It's fairly commonplace nowadays- our offices are dog friendly, but there are dog free desk areas, dog free meeting rooms, and dog free lifts etc

If it was allowed before you started, then it's on your employer to inform you beforehand really.

pilates · 17/01/2024 15:51

Is it a therapy dog?

Greeneyedminx · 17/01/2024 15:53

What would happen if everyone brought their dogs to work?
Work is definitely NOT the best place for any dogs, and people who are allergic to dogs or who are scared of dogs, must be taken into consideration.
It is supposed to be a workplace.

Original poster
banjocat · 17/01/2024 15:53

@pilates No it's just someone's pet dog and it's convenient for her to bring it in.

OP posts:
mayasternn · 17/01/2024 15:53

Well they probably did check with everyone who worked there but you didn't work there at the time Hmm get a different job if you don't like the office dog

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 17/01/2024 15:55

Betsyhilton · 17/01/2024 15:51

That's crazy. Would they let an employee bring their toddler to work and allow them to run around the place annoying other staff?

This. It’s just another of those posts that highlight that dogs are taking over the world. They have no rights in workplaces, OP I would absolutely complain , it’s completely unacceptable unless stated and agreed.

KnickerlessParsons · 17/01/2024 15:55

Dogs have no place in offices. I couldn't work in an office if there was a dog there - I'm frightened of them.
I can just about tolerate a guide dog or other support dog as they are so well trained, but I'd still be uneasy all day and probably wouldn't work as well as I would otherwise.

PricklyBob · 17/01/2024 15:56

Very similar work layout here and one person brings in a dog regularly. I do check with new starts that they are ok with this and so far everyone had responded enthusiastically. The dog owner is extremely reasonable though and there is a plan in place for anyone who has an issue, with various options ranging from dog staying in separate zones to finding another workspace for the employee + dog.

I don't ask at interview or put it in an advert though - I wouldn't want anyone to feel they had to answer in a certain way, or there's no point applying for a job - that would be discrimination. Once the person has the job though, it's good the reaffirm to them that they can be honest and we'll work around any issues an individiual may have.

Original poster
banjocat · 17/01/2024 15:56

@mayasternn You think someone with a dog allergy should have to get a different job, when they were never told that their new workplace allowed dogs? So that someone can save some money on a pet sitter?

OP posts:
Catza · 17/01/2024 15:57

It's pretty unrealistic to check every employee for allergies. There is nothing entitled about bringing a dog into a dog-friendly office. I won't be going around checking if all my colleagues are OK with me wearing perfume, eating fish or nuts, wearing a woollen jumper or bringing fresh flowers to put on my desk. There are people with millions of allergies and the onus is on them to inform the employer/colleagues of what they can and can't work with (and not take the job if accommodations can't be made).
I have sensory sensitivities and I don't think my colleagues are "entitled" when they turn the lights on or have a fan on their desk. I simply ask them to turn the fan so it doesn't blow on me and ask if it would be OK for me to turn the lights off during daylight hours. Because they are, indeed, entitled to do whatever is permitted in company policies but not in the way you mean when you say "entitled" about your work colleague.

Greeneyedminx · 17/01/2024 15:57

The office must stink of dog !!
If they are allowed to bring their dog in, surely there must be some boundaries where the dog can go?
maybe it should be tied up on a long leash to their desk so that it doesn’t bother other people?

Menomeno · 17/01/2024 15:57

mayasternn · 17/01/2024 15:53

Well they probably did check with everyone who worked there but you didn't work there at the time Hmm get a different job if you don't like the office dog

So you’re saying a pet has more right to be in the office than an actual employee? I really don’t understand why people who are out at work all day get dogs in the first place. Nobody should think taking a dog to work should be a right employment, and any allergic employee should be forced to leave. The world is going mad!

FuckingHellAdele · 17/01/2024 15:57

Greeneyedminx · 17/01/2024 15:53

What would happen if everyone brought their dogs to work?
Work is definitely NOT the best place for any dogs, and people who are allergic to dogs or who are scared of dogs, must be taken into consideration.
It is supposed to be a workplace.

In our organisation there is a certain quota of dogs allowed, and there is a booking system so the office can't be overrun with everyone's dogs in at the same time. All dogs have to have a 'good behaviour passport', and there are allergen controls in place.

The people who don't like dogs tend to stick to the dog free areas.

vivainsomnia · 17/01/2024 15:57

Yes they should have told you absolutely.

Of course you can raise it. The question though is have you found your allergy being triggered so far?

If yes, raise it to your manager. They can move you or at least ask the owner to ensure the dog doesn't come near you.

If no, what are the chances it suddenly will?

RedPony1 · 17/01/2024 15:58

There's a large Vets HQ that encourages dogs in the office, my last job had dogs allowed.

Not entitled at all, never met anyone that doesn't like it in real life, only on mumsnet.

SwimmingWorrier · 17/01/2024 15:58

My boss (who I share an office with) brings his in all of the time. Mine is here at the moment (it's a one off and wasn't planned). I've met quite a few of my colleagues dogs. Apart from the boss none of us bring them in regulary but in an emergency they are welcome.

Purplecatshopaholic · 17/01/2024 15:58

She presumably checked with her manager and it was agreed it was ok to bring the dog in. I agree it’s odd they don’t inform new staff of this situation and in my view they should. It’s not great to spend time and money recruiting a new team member for them to immediately resign if they are scared of dogs, for example.. If it’s a dog friendly workplace they should be clear and open about this so people have knowledge of this and can choose whether or not to work there. Given it’s a bit late in your case, you need to decide how bad the allergy is and whether you can manage it, as the dog was there before you..

Pheasantsmate · 17/01/2024 16:00

The way I see it is you complain about this persons long standing arrangement and:

  1. HR tell you that they are a dog friendly environment and you have just marked yourself out as a troublemaker for no benefit
  2. HR ban dogs from the office. The dog is banned from the office. The owner has to pay for a walker and is pissed off and tells people their loved dog is banned.Everyone knows you made the complaint and thinks you are a dick
  3. HR bans dogs from the office, the owner decides they can’t leave their dog at home so looks for a new job. They tell people the reason why they are leaving… everyone thinks you are a dick
RandomUsernameHere · 17/01/2024 16:03

How ridiculous. They should absolutely have told you when you were offered the job. Loads of people have dog allergies, in some cases very severe, it's disgusting to let a dog roam around a shared office.

SwimmingWorrier · 17/01/2024 16:03

My boss also asked me at the interview if I minded dogs. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have got the job if I said I did. He did ask though.