my colleague is bring the dog to work.

[vickibee]

is this allowed? it sits in a cage thing in corner of office but it is not very friendly and howls everytime she leaves the room. I don't like it but can see no choice as a bereavement means there is no one to look after it at home.

[bakeroony]

I adore dogs but I can empathise with anyone who wouldn't want them in the workplace - if someone started bringing their cat into our office, I'd kick up a fuss as I'm allergic to them!

Can't there be an anonymous response box set up, so everyone has to put in whether they agree or disagree with pets in the workplace, and if anyone has an allergy etc. then there should be a blanket ban.

[honestpointofview]

I think Ragwort's assessment is spot on and how an ET would judge the matter if someone felt they had to resign. If the goal posts changed then a good claim for constructive dismissal.

[slightlyglitterstained]

I would turn down a job if it was a "doggy" workplace. I don't mind dogs, but they do smell, especially when wet, and even if this didn't cause me breathing difficulties I would not want to work in an office with lots of dogs around. Cats are much much worse in terms of causing me problems, and it's really not unusual to react to levels of cat dander that are totally undetectable to cat owners (so really, anyone saying "oh, but there's absolutely no mess" is not the person who gets to judge).

In Hedgehogparty's situation I would be absolutely fucking furious. What would be the legal position if you were unable or unwilling to continue working in a job because your employers had made the working environment impossible for you? Surely there is some duty of care here?

People bringing their kids in occasionally on the other hand I think is lovely and wouldn't bother me at all.

[AlpacaLypse]

I absolutely disagree that it's inappropriate to bring well behaved dogs to work. We have a number of clients who take their dogs in, we come round and scoop all of them up and walk them mid-morning. They then apparently spend the rest of the day asleep under desks.

All the offices have a safe place that the dogs can be put if a visitor comes who doesn't feel comfortable with half a dozen hairy damp mutts around.

I do agree however that your colleague's dog is not enjoying the experience and is thus making your working day uncomfortable. Have you told your boss that the dog's howling is making it hard for you to concentrate on your work?

[BlueStones]

Dogs like their own crates as long as they can leave them when they like - it has been shown that hours of enforced encagement is distressing. That would be the big one for me; for the dog's sake she needs to make other arrangements.

Personally I like having free dogs around, but of course that's not the case for everyone.

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

I want to work with Eve or tantrums

There's four? dogs at my ds's school. All the children love them. They were upset when one teacher left as not only did they love her they loved her retriever. I suspect ds2 is currently in his maths class and there will be a dog curled up in the corner.

[Mignonette]

Rag

I agree. It is hard to speak out if you are scared of, allergic to or don't like dogs. I wouldn't want a bad tempered dog about- they need to be fully socialised.

[SwedishEdith]

I am intrigued about all these dog friendly workplaces - sounds so lovely to have dogs sleeping away in the corner. Nice contrast to the other thread full of miserable workplaces where some poor saps can't even make themselves a cup of coffee when they get to work

[Ragwort]

At DC's school the head has a dog, which is around a lot. Lots of parents take dogs in when picking up. It makes for a better atmosphere.

Who says it 'makes for a better atmosphere'?

Yes, if you like dogs but I would be shocked if dogs were in a school. I really don't like dogs and I don't want to be near dogs; nor do lots of people but it seems as though we are clearly in the minority on this thread .

[Hedgehogparty]

I work in a small office and am very allergic to dogs.
I had been coughing, itching and wheezing for weeks .
Discovered then that 3 people were bringing dogs in when I had days off.

I was angry because there were no dogs allowed in when I joined and I'd already had to raise it as an issue a few years earlier when someone brought a dog in.

Not a matter of dislike, but health.
I wouldn't want or be able to take a job where animals were allowed .

[TwittyMcTwitterson]

You should casually mention the howling. Perhaps when she's in there fuss the dog so it's clear you're friendly and not being rude and mention the howling. As much as I love dogs, I do see that would annoy someone

[SweepTheHalls]

I reallllly wish I could take my boy to work with me, anyone with an office like that in need of a secondary science teacher?

[vickibee]

I Generally like dogs - it is the whining and howling that is annoying me the most but I just don't think it is appropritate to bring a pet with you to work.

[TwittyMcTwitterson]

Wow. Really does sound like heaven. Can I join?

On the crate issue, my pup loves his. It's 'his' space to get away from DD who quite frankly mauls him and he loves it... But he's VERY lazy and at the weekend needs a nap away from us all. He also won't go outside if it's too cold or raining

[LtEveDallas]

But people don't like to complain and may object but don't say

Luckily in my office everyone who works in here brings a dog in, so we know that isn't the case.

If visitors don't like dogs they can go to the counter and don't have to be around them, if they are OK with dogs they can come in (and have a biscuit ).

[mistlethrush]

Wasn't there some sort of study that showed having a dog in the office reduced sick leave in the firm?

[Viviennemary]

It's all very well to say nobody objects to your dog, horse, pot bellied pig in the office as they all love animals. But people don't like to complain and may object but don't say. I do not agree with animals in an office. I suppose in an emergency if one came in for an hour or two that would be OK as a one off.. But on a regular basis - absolutely not.

[LtEveDallas]

Frenchfemme, I am jealous! I'd never met one until yesterday and fell madly in love. Thankfully she will be living across the road from me from March, so hopefully I'll get lots of time with her!

[MrsOakenshield]

my boss where I sued to work brought his dog in about once a week. She was a dear little dog and would curl up on your lap like a cat. But she had free rein to wander about so would follow her owner, or someone else would look after her if he was in a meeting.

The howling isn't great, but if there's been a bereavement I'm not sure what you can do. Hopefully, the dog will get used to it.

[TwoThreeFourSix]

My gyne brings her dog to work. It sits in the receptionists office and yaps all the bloody time.

I wouldn't like this to be honest, mainly cos I'm not a dog fan and have been bitten before now (needing rabies jabs cos I live in France). Also MIL is severly allergic (was in a coma when younger after spending an afternoon with a dog) and I'd be worried about affecting her if I saw her after work etc.

On the other hand, I imagine that the atmosphere in general would be more pleasant in an office with animals. Maybe less uptight than the bank head offices I currently work in!

[Frenchfemme]

LtEve - I've got a Spanish Water Dog! He is a bit crazy-looking (ready for a trim) and friendly. Also not averse to a bit of fox/cow/badger etc shit, both to roll in and to munch on if I don't drag him off PDQ. However, I am early-retired so no workplace to take him to. Some of my favourite offices were those with resident (well behaved) dogs.

[BigWellyLittleWelly]

I am very cautious about dogs I've not met before, I would like a dog when the DC are older and to be able to take it to work would be brilliant. Especially as I will by then be working out on site alone much of the time.

I like going to work in the farm offices as there always a few dogs chilling out on the floor. Doesn't always smell that great though!

[Dromedary]

At DC's school the head has a dog, which is around a lot. Lots of parents take dogs in when picking up. It makes for a better atmosphere.

[WholeNewProblem]

However, I do feel that if someone in the office objects, then that should be sufficient for a no-dogs policy to be introduced. It shouldn't work on the basis of majority preference.

Someone should also be able to object if their colleague wanted to keep a tarantula or snake on their desk, as these pets might also instill fear in colleauges .

[mistlethrush]

I used to occasionally take my dog into the office - no one knew she was there as she sat on her mat under my desk and didn't move until it was time for a walk at lunchtime. Not allowed any more :( Mind you, new dog would be much more obvious as she shadows me - although she's very quiet most of the time, unless she's hitting something with her tail.