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?

The allergen controls are things like high frequency deep cleaning, dog free lifts, walkways, rooms etc and no moving equipment ie chairs between areas.

For the behaviour passport, new dogs can come in on an initial trial basis a few times- if they don't run riot, or bark excessively, piss on the cables etc they get the passport and can join the rota. And yes, they have to be up to date with vaccinations, worming etc

Personally, I love that it's dog friendly. I'll be honest though, on the whole it does feel more like its the people with allergies/aversions who are the ones segregated and not the dogs!

I'll also caveat that I have never taken my own dog in, as there's no chance mine would ever be the proud owner of a good behaviour passport

Office dogs are relatively common. Some people love having a friendly, well behaved dog in the office, some are neutral towards it, and some dislike it. It turns out we don't all have the same needs or preferences in a workplace environment and that's ok. The majority of your coworkers may genuinely appreciate having the dog around.

But allergies are a real issue, and I'm sorry you're dealing with symptoms while you're trying to work. Tamp down the obvious disdain you feel for the dog and its owner and let your manager know that you need to find some sort of solution so the dog isn't coming around your desk all the time. You can do this without making it some big complaint about the dog being in the office. Potential solutions might include relocating your desk, blocking off your row, the owner training the dog to stay clear of your area, or even having the dog on a long line so people choose to visit it instead of the other way around.

I'd also definitely mention that with your allergies this would have been a good thing to know when you were interviewing.

If a dog bit a staff member would the employer be in trouble legally?

Haven't rtft but I am shocked, how is it ok to force a parent to pay ££££ a year to keep their child out of the workplace, but dogs (who are ok left on their own for periods of time) are ok...pay for doggy day care if you are that bothered about it being left on its own.

What does it matter is she hates dogs - she is bloody allergic - her employer should make sure the environment is suitable for her
And the inconsiderate dog owner should leave her dog at home.

I wouldn't want a dog at work either OP. Sometimes one is brought in and through no fault of its own (a rescue) is quite vicious and aggressive. It has a muzzle on but that doesn't stop it trying to attack. I can't go into the office it is in when it's there and I don't think it's right either. Obviously dogs at work aren't usually aggressive, but I still wouldn't want one there all the time because you can never be 100% sure they won't nip someone or something. And the dog should never be in a position like that.

So if an employer allows anything at all for one (or more employees) then if anyone has anything against it they should leave

Loud musix, allowing perfume, eating peanuts, bringing grandparents or friends to work, drinking beer in the office, park wherever they feel like, turn up when they want too - anything at all

'if you don't like it leave'

does that idea work for everything?

Dogs at work are one of the most ridiculous things to have come out of lockdown. Of course you can’t take your pet to work. Think back 10 years. No one took their pet to work. It’s inappropriate. If you work full time don’t get a pet you can’t leave at home.

"If one thing is allowed in certain instances then everything must therefore be allowed and there can't be any rules at all" is an absurdly disingenous take🙄

Office dogs can be a well-loved part of a workplace's culture, but there should be some pretty stringent standards and conditions attached including awareness of allergies and full disclosure to new hires.

Totally. Got to say this first time I’ve ever heard is people bringing their dogs the office . I never knew it was a thing and I’ve worked in offices 35 years.

I couldn’t stand it. I’d be one of those voting no and I wouldn’t be quiet about it. Offices ate workplaces for people not animals. And all those saying they can’t leave their dogs at home all day - well that’s a consideration when you choose to get a pet isn’t it

We have hybrid working so I'm not in the office every day and there aren't dogs in every day but they are in regularly.

I'm allergic and not a dog lover.

In my open plan office they are free to roam everywhere. They're usually small dogs. They're always appearing at my side or under the desks - even in meetings, or nearly tripping me up as I'm walking along.

I don't understand why their owners don't keep them under control and accept not everyone is going to want to pet and play with them.

If all employess agree then sure fine, if not then 'well just leave' is a ridiculous idea

The world is going mad 🙈 ridiculous that other people's choice to have a pet should negatively impact on their colleagues! Dogs are taking over but it eventually come full circle hopefully.

The dog was there before them?! The dog isn't an employee!

It’s irrelevant that this is about a dog. The workplace has an established status quo that was in place before you arrived. When you join as a new starter you either accept it or don’t join if it doesn’t suit you. You don’t take the job then demand they change everything to accommodate you.

I don't work in an office environment but, if I did, I would stipulate that it had to be dog friendly.

I bloody love dogs, I would pet all of them all day and get no work done 😂

The OP wasn't informed about presence of dogs before accepting the job (and supposedly leaving another job for that). That suggests there isn't any official position stating the dogs are allowed no matter what, maybe there were just unofficially tolerated for the time being.
Surely even a new employee has a right for safe workplace.

Or everyone would think “thank fuck someone finally said something”.

A dog does not belong in an office. Don’t have one if you can’t look after it properly.

It would be my worst nightmare. What is it with people and dogs?! Why is everyone expected just to put up with someone else’s stinking great beast? Can people take their pet snakes in? It’s ridiculous and inconsiderate.

That’s fine for present employees, but what about when someone new joins? If they were to disclose at interview that they’re uncomfortable with it they wouldn’t be hired. If their reasons are medical that’s surely got to be discrimination?

Where will it stop? Dogs wandering round all workplaces? Go to the salon and you’re having an asthma attack before they’ve finished washing your hair. Maybe they’ll be allowed to roam round operating theatres if the surgeon is having an issue with doggy day care that day? Meanwhile anyone with allergies ends up a housebound social pariah, unable to work at all because dogs have taken over absolutely everywhere.

@Menomeno I think you’ve missed the boat there. My hairdressers always has the owners two dogs present.

As PP have pointed out, this is the direction society is moving in, or has moved in. You might disagree or object but basically you’re too late.

People with allergies can usually just take a tablet and they are fine. If their allergy is more severe, then yes, they will have a more restricted life, but that would be the case before, as dogs have always been on planes, trains and taxis, and everywhere humans go.

You can protest on here all you like but I doubt that will change anything.

The dog situation should have been mentioned at interview, giving you the option to turn down the job. I wouldn't have worked in an office with a loose dog running round as it's unprofessional and a time-wasting distraction. Personally I'd request wfh on the days the dog comes in and explain why - management's decision then.

I find the whole "dogs in the office" thing absolutely baffling. Aside from approved assistance dogs, if anyone bought a dog in to our office facilities staff would have them out of the building so quick their feet wouldn't touch the ground.

It is not reasonable or professional

If they were to disclose at interview that they’re uncomfortable with it they wouldn’t be hired. If their reasons are medical that’s surely got to be discrimination?
DH’s boss has his dog at work. I’m sure he’d say it’s his company and he’ll have a dog there if he wants to. Companies are allowed to not hire you if your medical reasons mean you can’t do the job or be in the work environment.

Totally agree. Honestly I’d never heard of it until just now reading this thread and the whole idea is baffling as you say.

It’s a professional working environment for grown adults not a petting zoo. It’s bad enough falling over dogs every time I go for a coffee I certainly don’t think that an office is a place for pets. Otherwise let’s all bring pets in. Why not a cat friendly office or bring your hamster to work day.

Its absolute madness

The public sector organisation I used to work for used to regularly let police sniffer dogs in for practice. Used to love watching them practice!