Pets in the Office: Pros, Cons, and Tips to Make It Work

Earlier last month, my husband and I drove about 40 minutes to meet with a dog breeder. The goal was to see if my allergy-prone husband would react to the breeder's Yorkshire terriers. If he didn't, we'd put down a deposit on a yet-to-be-born puppy that could serve as a service dog for me.

Note: Goal achieved, puppy reserved.

As we drove back, the curious part of my brain thought about how science is reaffirming the benefits of animals for mental and general health. I recalled articles about how the number of pets adopted skyrocketed and then reversed during the pandemic as people working from home looked for ways to cope.

That, despite the fact I work from home, sparked questions: Do animals belong in the office? If they do, how are companies supposed to deal with them in a way that doesn't make HR and individual employees lose their sh-t?

The advantages and disadvantages of being animal-friendly

From the disabilities standpoint, being animal-friendly ensures that an employer is compliant with the stipulations within the Americans with Disabilities Act, which allows people to have service animals even in locations that otherwise wouldn't allow them (e.g., restaurants). Compliance can keep you out of legal trouble and ensure your company has a reputation as a non-discriminatory organization.

More generally, though, In an article for Business.com, Skye Schooley does an excellent job of summarizing some of the key pros and cons of having pets at the office. She notes that, on the positive side, animals can

• be used as an employee recruitment and retention tool (e.g., workers can save on pet daycare fees, etc.),
• improve company morale,
• facilitate bonds between workers that foster better work,
• improve employee health (e.g., motivates exercise), and
• prevent burnout.

Conversely, some of the biggest disadvantages are that pets can

• irritate allergies or create fear,
• decrease safety or sanitation,
• distract workers, decreasing productivity,
• increase liability, and
• be prohibited by office space landlords.

How to make pets make sense

Your business type and circumstances play a big role in how the above points apply. Worrying about allergies in a startup of 10 people is a lot simpler than in a business of several hundred or thousands of people, for instance, or the work itself (e.g., construction) might make having non-working animals around difficult. But if you do want to let animals into the workspace, what are the ground rules?

1. Consider the minority. I'm 4'8". Even if a dog is a big baby and perfectly trained to offer therapy or medical help, I'm probably not going to be all that comfortable around a gigantic, larger-than-me Newfoundland that everybody else in the office, in their normal-height glory, enjoys. How can you accommodate the people who would mentally or physically struggle, particularly when ADA animals that are not optional are involved?
2. Set boundaries. Is the animal expected to go around to everyone, or do they have to have a specific handler? Who's going to be responsible for basics like feeding and grooming? When and where will the animal be present? How can employees opt in or out of participating when the animal is around? Is any animal OK (guy with the pet python, I'm looking at you), such as with emotional support animals, or will you allow only dogs as specified under the Americans with Disabilities Act? Are there specific tests the animal must pass, such as basic obedience?
3. Check for consistency with your values. An outdoor fitness equipment company, for instance, might see having the active lifestyle animals can bring as aligning with their values in a big way, whereas a landscaping company may be more focused on keeping animals (e.g., deer, moles, digging dogs) out of a person's manicured space. Any dissonance between allowing pets and acting on existing business values must be resolved.
4. Assess the space. Just want a big fish tank? Fine. But what kind of damage would happen if the tank breaks? Are there tech cords everywhere? Plants that are toxic to pets? How easy is it to let the animal toilet? Does the HVAC or cleaning system minimize allergies or other issues?
5. Consider socialization. Not for the workers -- for the pets. If multiple animals will be present, how can you get them used to each other and ensure each one stays safe?
6. Be fair with perks. If those who bring in pets are offered designated space, insurance, time, etc., what alternatives are you presenting to those who have no animals?
7. Prioritize health. Although animals are known to help humans be physically well, remember that animals have physical needs, too. They can get cancer, break bones, or even react to bee stings. What will you do to encourage vaccinations, exercise, safe discipline, etc.? Is the office environment going to be stressful or present hazards for the pets? What's the policy if a worker injures someone else's animal while on the clock?

Many companies have been free of pets (except for ADA accommodations) from inception, and this has been the case for years. But with both physical and mental health challenges increasing for employees, and with businesses trying to find ways to help people relax and work better together, allowing more and a larger range of animals might make sense for certain employers from both the financial and morale perspectives. Remember, too, that there might be a middle ground, such as having licensed handlers bring therapy dogs on specified days of the month rather than allowing anyone to bring any pet. If you're unsure which way to lean, as you might do with any business change, talk directly to your workers to see what would be most helpful and practical.

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