Dogs in the office

[Merryoldgoat]

I’m not a dog person. I don’t really like them but can bear them for a short amount of time.

I have been asked to interview for a job and the website talks about having dogs in the office as a plus point.

This isn’t a plus for me.

I imagine dogs in the office are overly intrusive and I think it changes the dynamic.

I’d like to hear from people who work in offices where dogs are allowed and how it is day to day, especially if you aren’t a big dog fan.

I worked in one office that allowed dogs. He would wander around and get attention from anybody. Definitely a plus point for me, was always a good day when the dog when there.

It's really, really uncommon for an office to have dogs.

I don't like dogs much. When i worked in an office where people brought their dogs, i loved it. No idea why.

We used to have an office dog. It was the owners dog and she was so well behaved and sweet. We were all gutted when that old lady passed away. When they told me on induction day I was elated.

I would love to have dogs in the office, we do not allow them at work because: The public have access to the building as well as other staff who may be allergic, phobic etc. Also someone would need to "police" the dogs health. No-one wants fleas bringing in or an unvaccinated dog passing serious illness to other dogs. I think it would require a lengthy risk assessment and "petiquette" (love that!) agreement.

I’m not a huge dog fan but approved for my office building to be allowed dogs recently. Typically there are a lot of requirements for the specific dog to come in and it’s one dog per day. They usually quietly sleep under their owner’s desk and behave.

Bloody hell, is there no escape from bloody dogs these days? Workplaces are no more a place to bring a dog than a baby. I wouldn’t even consider working for a joke of an employer who encourages this. Let me guess - Millennials? 🙄

But what is the purpose of doing this?

So colleagues and productivity have to suffer because someone’s stupid dog has ‘separation anxiety’? No bloody wonder this country has gone to shit with this sort of bullshit.

@Merryoldgoat If it looks a great job I'd be tempted to interview and then if they offer ask more questions about how often, where in the building and (if dogs have free rein) whether you can WFH on those days.

If they say no, you can decline the offer.

The purpose of me agreeing to it or the purpose of people bringing them in? You can google the latter yourself.

Statistically more people benefit than don’t from dogs coming into the office. We are trailing it and so far it’s been mainly positive feedback. They’ve been so inconspicuous that I’ve only seen one on one occasion.

Not every work benefit will benefit everyone.

I got one colleague who brings his dog to the office on occasion. His dog is very well behaved. However, I like dogs. I like the atmosphere they bring. They make a boring office seem more cheerful.

Sorry but no.
Office workers are not responsible for their colleague's dog's emotional well-being.

This seems to have become a big thing since people went back in to the office and the "lockdown" puppies were used to constant company. I have heard of people claiming they can't come back to the office because of the dog being left at home for too long - poor puppy getting the blame!!

Statistically more people benefit than don’t from dogs coming into the office. This is surely bunkum, what can the benefit be to someone of a dog sitting invisibly and inaudibly under someone else's desk?

I’ve logged off for the weekend so am not going to humour you with the information I was provided to back up the claims. Once again, I’m sure you can google it.

Dogs are allowed in the office I work in and it pisses me off, frankly. I don't care for them and don't see why I should have to accommodate them just because everyone lost their minds and got one during Covid.

A few people bring dogs into my workspace and it is totally fine, just not an issue at all. We all have our own offices though, I think it might be different in open plan.

If a business wants to do it they can, but I remain sceptical about these 'benefits'. And the studies were presumably funded by Pedigree Chum.

Wow - many more responses than expected 🤣

I have been advised it’s not every day and only one dog at a time so this is completely manageable.

I think it’s worth interviewing but I’ll think over the weekend.

I will read though all the comments in case there’s more to think about.

Thank you for taking the time to give your opinions - much appreciated.

I wouldn't interview -- I wouldn't want to work in an office that allowed dogs. (Edited, just seen your update. I guess the thing for me would be if more and more people started taking their dogs in but I'd say it's worth interviewing now).

Where I work now, people did ask, but they said no because it's open plan and they couldn't accommodate people with allergies (if someone had a guide dog, it would be a one-off and I am sure they'd find a way round it eg there are two floors so they could have a dog floor and a dog-free floor).

Previously it allowed dogs but people had their own offices so they were in a particular office and you wouldn't see them. I didn't realise before I started the job but it was right as the covid lockdown started so I was hardly there before they moved offices anyway. I don't think that many people did take their dogs in though and if they did it wasn't every day.

As for dogs being a benefit, other benefits don't have an impact on other people - eg it's immaterial to me whether you have dental cover or not!

I think don’t apply. They won’t change for you, nor should they have to.

The office I work in is all retired volunteers and two dogs. None of us are Millennials. We humans are all boomers and the dogs are Generation Alpha.

I would love to work in a dog friendly office and know of one nationwide company that has them. Strict rules, all dogs are well behaved and kept to their designated beds by their owners desk.

But, for me, I have a real paranoia around fleas and I’ve learned not everyone is good at keeping up to date with treatment, or treating their house/cleaning bedding. It’s just an element that would unsettle me. The dogs themselves would be fine if some guarantees around this were in place.

Where did I say I expected them to?