Dogs in the office

[banjocat]

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?

I love dogs in the office, they bring so much joy, so sad so many have to be left at home alone for hours. X

You are coming across really badly. Why are some dog people so defensive that not everybody loves their pooches as much as they do?

If you make a statement and are challenged, then it’s reasonable to present the ‘evidence’. When you can’t find it, telling the other person to do so because they apparently have more time than you with your amazing fulfilled life, is just embarrassing. As is your use of ‘sweetie’.

No, it’s not. We go for plenty of walks and it’s the same otherwise as being at home.

They don't bring joy to those with allergies or phobias.

Dogs with good owners won't be left alone for hours and hours - we have a dog and alternate wfh and use a dog walker. we factored in the costs when getting the dog.

Also hot, noisy, brightly lit offices are not especially great for dogs

The office seems to be very happy to have the dog. If the dog is hypoallergenic they do not have to worry about telling you. The person working may not be just saving money. You should not talk about what you do not know. The dog is not going anywhere so you either speak to HR or look for another job.

Well no it’s not it’s your employers problem, and they would have to make reasonable adjustments.

Thats good for you you would take anitihistemines but other people shouldn’t have to just tolerate their alleged in the workplace

BTW I meant “tough shit on the employee” not employer, bloody typos changing the entire post context 🤣

Wow who posts on MN on their holiday. Are you not having a good time?

Nobody has advocated for kids in the workplace. HTH.

You could ask HR for a copy of the company's insurance with reference to employee dogs and also what their sickness policy is with relation to dog related injuries and/or illness.

If they don't currently have insurance to cover employee dogs, it might focus their minds.

Oh ducking hell, as a new starter, definitely don’t take that advice. You’ll be labelled as a nightmare behind your back. Point out the problem with the dog and ask for an alternative plan to accommodate you by all means but do not do the above.

Meh.

They should have insurance, so it is a reasonable question.

Agree. I once had a 5 day old kid goat on my knee at the start of a zoom call. There is nothing that lifts the spirits more than a kid goat and it was only for two minutes for everyone to see. I was told to put him away as the workplace wasn't the place for animals😥but then I was in the office and everyone was fussing over a dog someone had brought in. Always favouritism to dogs.

It’s not a reasonable question and neither is asking to see all their other insurance policies. They’ll give you an answer but you’ll have a target on your head, so you better be very good at your job.

@KarenNotAKaren just because the poster is on Mumsnet doesn't mean they aren't having a good holiday.

I'm not in awe of my boss. I am so happy it's Friday and I won't see him for two days. He's not stupid though. If he thought the employee was that amazing even though she's allergic he would make adjustments. She probably won't fit in though.

You are not coming across well.

OP says she has a mild reaction not enough to cause a problem....so she either complains about the dog which she is entitled to do and runs the risk of coming across as difficult during her probation or sucks it up ... that's the reality. We can debate the rights and wrong but when you are in a new job you want to be a team player that gets on with people.

Shit - I go on MN on holidays, I hadn’t realised that was the wrong thing to do. This thread is so useful - thanks op!

There’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. This just means they produce less dander.

Hypoallergenic dogs cause severe asthma for me. Just takes a bit longer to not be able to breathe than with a normal dog.

Why would you have a target on your back?

I haven't read the whole thread, but how big is the company? Is this a regional office of a multinational? Has the manager gone rogue by allowing dogs in the office? Are HR even aware there are animals in the office?

This is one of those situations where everything is OK until it isn't.

The OP shouldn't be exposed to dogs in the office unless she is completely comfortable with it. Her statutory rights to a safe and healthy workplace trump another colleague's 'right' to bring in a dog.

@KarenNotAKaren i post on MN whilst on holiday, also on FB, catch up with news, read emails, keep in touch with friends

Today, we've spent a leisurely breakfast, a few hours with elephants, stopped for lunch now, long relaxing one. I'm sorting photos, catching up your anger that kept you awake until gone 2!

I could've predicted your comment, funnily enough!

I'm having a wonderful time, posting on MN isn't making me rage...... not like dogs in the office are making you rage!

Asking about company insurance is a very unusual question - it will raise eyebrows, you will have drawn attention to yourself and not in a good way. If first impressions are a thing - you’ll not have created a good one.

It is a perfectly legitimate question and shouldn't result in any pushback from the business.

https://dohr.co.uk/knowledgebase/should-dogs-be-allowed-in-the-workplace/

Liability
One consideration which must be taken into account is who is liable for the dog while it is at work and what happens if there is an incident or accident involving the dog. Examples may include someone falling over the dog, the dog breaking something (perhaps with the swipe of a powerful tail or just in moving around the office and knocking something over), or the dog biting someone. As you will hear after my interview on You and Yours, someone contacted the programme to say they had been bitten by a dog in the office and was injured so badly they had to go to hospital. In this instance, they have had an accident at work and it is reportable to the Health and Safety Executive. Who is liable? The employee who brought the dog into work, or the company for allowing dogs in the office. As an employer allowing dogs into the workplace, you may need to get employees to sign a waiver taking full responsibility for their dog and to demonstrate they have adequate insurance in the event of an incident.

Insurance
If you are going to allow dogs into your workplace, it is strongly advised that you discuss your liabilities with your insurance company to ensure you have adequate cover in the event of a claim against the business.

@clickifyouwanna @SwimmingWorrier

Remember please when you're on holiday, any downtime must be spent either

1. Reading - preferably books on employment law
2. Swimming - whatever time of day or night
3. Enjoying yourself, by not being on any SM or forums
4. Going on any forums, makes you "odd", remember that?

Have I missed anything @KarenNotAKaren?

I need you to instruct me on holiday etiquette, so no one can say "who goes on MN , whilst on holiday", I mean who stays up until 2am arguing on MN?

Hypoallergenic dog is a myth. Claiming it is either lying or deluded.

Similarly the claim about the office being happy with the dog - probably it means small number making happy noises and majority being indifferent or annoyed. You can see on this thread how many people don't find joy in other people's dogs at work.

If the dog wasn't going anywhere and just sit on the owner's place, it would solve the situation at hand. Actually, an intelligent dog owner would want to know about the issue and make sure the dog doesn't wander into OP's personal space. Failing to do so increases the risk that it would come to the test of priorities.

You'll be known as that employee - whether that bothers you or not, whether it hinders your promotional prospects who knows, I suspect someone who asks this question has form and there's more coming - there always is.😂