Pros and Cons of pets in the workplace

For those of us that spend all day in the office, having a furry friend around might seem like a great idea - but is it everything that it’s cracked up to be? We take a look at the pros and cons of introducing a PAW (pets at work) policy to your workplace.

• Employee satisfaction: According to research commissioned by pet food brand Purina, 81% of Brits believe pet-friendly workplaces are happier ones.*

• Employee team bonding: Pets make a great icebreaker - employees can stop by each others’ desks to chat and pet the dog during quick breaks throughout the day.

• Employee savings: As employees will not need to hire sitters or dog-walkers for their pet during the day, this will save them money, which in turn can help reduce employee stress and increase satisfaction.

• Recruiting: You can use your pet-friendly workplace as a recruitment tactic to attract potential employees who love animals or are looking for a job which allows them to stay around their pets all day. This may prove especially popular with younger recruits who may have adopted pets during lockdowns.

• Employee health: Dogs need regular walking, so employees can take out their pet on brief walks to get away from their screens and stretch their legs - this can help increase employee satisfaction, as exercise can help improve mental health.

• Allergies: If someone in your office is allergic to your dog or cat, the workplace immediately becomes an uncomfortable environment for them to be in. It’s important to consider the health of all employees before any animals can be brought into the office.

• Employee discomfort: Not everyone is an animal lover, and some people even have a fear of cats or dogs. It’s important to consider the comfort of your employees before bringing in an animal, as even if the pet is harmless, it can be upsetting for some.

• Distractions: Even if the animal is well-behaved, it’s possible that your employees may be more concerned with petting or fussing it rather than doing their work! Time may also be taken up by having to clear up after a dog that has wet itself on the office floor, or having to calm down a cat that has the ‘zoomies’ in the middle of the working day.

• Liability: What happens if your pet bites another employee or gets into a fight with another pet? Depending on the situation, you may be liable for any injuries that occur due to pets being allowed in the office.

• Cost: If your rental agreement does not automatically allow pets in the building, you may have to pay an additional cost in order to let employees bring in their animals.

• Damage: Cats and dogs love to chew on their toys, and it’s possible they might start chewing on cables or other equipment, causing damage to company property.

If you decide you want to allow pets in the office, you’ll want to make sure that the workplace is a safe and welcoming place for them to be in. Consider:

• A fresh water drinking fountain or bowls of water that are regularly changed.

• Tying together loose cables and using cable protectors to prevent damage from pets chewing on the wires.

• Allowing employees to bring in a cat or dog bed for their furry friend.

• Providing a quieter space for cats or dogs that may find the office overwhelming.

If you’re thinking about introducing a PAW policy, you’ll need to make sure that you have the right cover in place and that’s where Everywhen comes in. We offer tailored business insurance policies to suit your needs so that you can pick and choose the cover and limits required for your business. Our employers' liability insurance policies are designed to help cover you if an accident happens to your staff for which you are liable despite health and safety precautions.

For more information visit our small business insurance page or call us on 0330 828 0210 to speak to a specialist adviser.

*https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/media/pressreleases/pet-friendly-business

This is a marketing article by Everywhen. Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.