Dogs in the workplace

[Strumpetpumpet]

i work in a fairly small open plan office. One of the directors has taken to bringing his dog into work - not every day, just on days when he can’t get a dog sitter. I have some allergies though mainly to cats, rabbits etc though some dogs have affected me in the past, but I’m just not a dog person, I’m not used to them and I don’t particularly like them, and I don’t think it’s appropriate to have dogs in the workplace obviously apart from guide dogs. If I had known there would be a dog in the office I wouldn’t have taken the job. Do I have any rights to object or should I just start looking for another job?

I've never worked anywhere with dogs but personally I'd have loved it (wouldn't have got any work done though!)

I worked somewhere in the 90s where the boss used to bring his dog in. It took a dislike to another staff member and I remember him running into the office one day and leaping onto a desk because the dog was chasing him 😱 it was an odd place to work, in many other ways, too

I am indeed, but it's not quite the same. I escaped from my playpen.

You need to talk to your boss but I don’t think there’s a law against it.
The teachers at my childrens school brought their dogs in to the classrooms. They said they calmed them down in exams walking up and down, many found them therapeutic

You should first check if there are any legal restrictions preventing the organisation from allowing dogs on the premises.
Ownwes/management/directors will also need to consider the legal risks of allowing dogs at work and the extent to which they are liable or insured against any claims.
They should check to see if their commercial insurance coverage covers dog-related incidents. The potential risks include damage to property – company property and colleague’s property – and potential risks of personal injury, for example, due to a dog scratch or bite, or tripping over a dog toy.
They should check the lease agreement (if any) for any restrictions on animals in the workplace, and to check if their Employers’ Liability (if applicable) and Public Liability insurance policies cover pet-related injuries, and what the implications are if the agreements don’t mention pets at work.
There should also be a policy in place for the event of fire to cover both humans and canines.

I don’t know if the nursery insurance covers for an incident caused by the dog. I don’t agree with it at all. The dog sniffs and licks the back of the children’s necks while on the carpet which hypes them all up. He runs around with their teddies in its mouth, barks at the nursery rabbit, sniffs around the table when they are having snack etc. 😣

“Why should your feelings trump mine?”

well they don’t. Given that the vast majority of workplaces are dog free, your feelings trump mine in most instances.

Hitler loved dogs - probably because he enjoyed their obedience.

I don't think you can say that people who like dogs are kinder.

Honestly you’re being absolutely ridiculous and completely inappropriate bringing up Hilter (especially today of all days)

if you read my post carefully you will see I have referred to the fact that my “data” is not statistically valid and that you get horrible people who like dogs.

but my personal experience is that I find people who like dogs (and animals in general) kinder and nicer. And frankly I don’t give a fuck what others think of my personal experience and opinion.

I think the right course here is to report it.

It's an inappropriate place for a dog.

I read your post perfectly well @CollieDug , my reading skills are fine.

The tone of your subsequent responses suggests not all dog lovers are 'kinder and nicer'!

Are you reading skills really so poor (original typo, not mine)

And frankly I don’t give a fuck

Hope you have a nice day.

What if you like dogs but only in certain circumstances. I like a nice outdoors walk with friends dogs but I don't like dogs in John Lewis cafe for example?

@CollieDug I disagree with the statement that people who like dogs are kinder, whether as a generalisation or as a personal opinion.

People who like dogs are people who like dogs. That is about all you can say about it.

@blueshoes you disagree with me having a personal opinion?

thought police out in force!

my admittedly generalised experience is that people who like dogs/animals are kinder. Please don’t tell me I am not allowed to have that opinion. And I won’t tell you that you are not allowed to have your opinion.

God I would hate this.
I'm not a dog person at all and it would put me on edge all day!

As for 'dog people' being kinder. What a load of rubbish! They just happen to like dogs.
I don't like dogs but that doesn't make me a horrible person.

You also don't find many children that bark or defecate on the floor.

Our headteacher was dog-mad and couldn't understand why everyone else wasn't. I don't dislike dogs but there's a place for them.
We'd have parents bringing in puppies and dogs before and after school all the time and we were expected to fuss over them. I'd give them a pat on the way past but that was it. The HT would say things like "Mrs Rachael is a meanie" etc. No I wasn't - I didn't bring my cat into school and expect people to fawn over him.

Don't get me started on dogs in cafes and restaurants - they're everywhere and it's spoiled my enjoyment of eating out. But again, if you say anything you're seen as some sort of animal hater.

I did read your post carefully and did not feel it was inappropriate to comment.

I'm a historian working in this area, as it happens.

You are so rude.

Unless you have a diagnosed allergy then I can't see why you can't just ignore the dog. I've currently got the boss's dog lying on my feet keeping them warm, it's freezing in my office!

That's two things wrong with your office environment then. Why can't you put the heating on?

I disagree with your personal opinion. This is a public forum and people are going to disagree with your views, even if you couch it as your personal view or IMO.

I did not say you are not allowed to have a personal opinion. There is a difference between the two which seems to have been lost on you.

Is there anything that would make you feel uneasy? A tarantula, the smell of vomit, an intermittent beeping? Some of us don't enjoy dogs and don't feel relaxed around them. No one should be on edge in the workplace because of someone else's pet.

The dog was brought into the nursery again yesterday afternoon despite suffering from an upset stomach all weekend. Luckily it didn’t have diarrhoea in the setting but it was sniffing around the table when the children were eating snack and it urinated over one of the children’s toys outside.

I hope one of the parents does report it but they all seem ok when they see the dog at pick up time.

Judge away if you must and it makes you feel better.

I don't trust all dogs, having been bitten as a teen by a dog. It was a pet of a family I knew and was fine - until t wasn't. It went on to bite a number of people, including children, with no outward provocation. I was just sat in the sofa when it attacked me,

I don't dislike dogs but I am, naturally, wary of them. I don't want them in my workplace anymore than I want to be working in the vicinity of many other animals.

The kindness shines through every word.