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?

Reading - preferably books on employment law

I'm just looking on Amazon for one to take on my beach holiday.

I think asking @KarenNotAKaren might be a good idea, she'll know best!

You also want to be in reasonable comfort in order to do your best work. Speaking from experience even a mild fur allergy is detrimental to performance. When I worked somewhere that allowed a dog in the office I was constantly popping antihistamines, which don't always mitigate symptoms btw, so at times I'd have fits of sneezing, plus having red eyes at times. Not very professional or conducive to productivity. Being in reasonable physical shape at work is just as important career-wise as being a team player.

I wish my Zoom calls at work involved goats!

I do. Obviously. I don’t sleep much. So sue me.

Do anti histamines not make one drowsy? Are there side effects?

You can get non drowsy ones.

The clear answer is to give the anti histamine to the dog so it sleeps and stays away from allergic people. Win-win!

Not really an odd question. I know the complications of this at DH's workplace is a reason for the withdrawal of offer. Plus they have talent who want a dog free zone.

I think it would depend on the company and how the talent felt.

To be fair when we do have dogs in occasionally they are well behaved and nobody is allergic.

If you read OPs post, she is saying her reaction is mild and only occurs if the dog is in proximity. Maybe the answer is to not suggest the dog is banned or similar which may well piss her colleagues off or make her look difficult in a new job but just to gently laugh it off when the dog comes near her "oops can you go back to x because as cute as you are I am a bit allergic"

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

1. Reading - preferably books on employment law

I think MNers need to brush up on their consumer law (totally misses point of thread)

Our old office allowed dogs because there were individual/small group offices. The new office is open plan, so no dogs as there is nowhere to keep them away from other people.

Find another job.

@DBD1975 you're 9 months late

This. We have a few guide dogs in our office as I work in disability support but there is no way I could work with a pet dog. I do not like them. The guide dogs are barely noticeable they are so quiet and well behaved.

Not to mention taking them on public transport. I can't imagine many dogs like the Tube

Bloody Zombie!

I know this is an older thread but I was walking past an estate agents the other day and a couple were in there with a dog.

It is rapidly getting to the point where people who aren't keen on dogs have a significant problem in finding a job they can do and not be bothered by them.

Years back I worked in a library, I bet they're allowed in libraries now as well.