Should we allow dogs in the office? The announcement that the City’s newest tall building, 22 Bishopsgate, is to be dog-friendly has set tails wagging and teeth gnashing in equal measure. While evidence shows that dogs can reduce stress levels and increase productivity, not everyone is enamoured with man’s best friend.  In this article, we gnaw through the pros and cons of having dogs at work.

Dogs help staff retention 

In the war for talent, a dog-friendly office is a major trump card to attracting new recruits.  According to Dogs Monthly, 40% of millennials want dog friendly offices and it’s unsurprising that some of the world’s biggest brands including Amazon, Google, Ticketmaster and Salesforce have all jumped on the canine band wagon. Some have even gone the extra mile by offering pet insurance and play centres in a bid to attract the best talent.   

Dogs at work can reduce stress

A survey conducted by Virginia University, found that bringing dogs to work reduced stress levels throughout the day.  Stress levels were measured four times a day via samples of saliva. While there was no discernible difference at the start of the day, the survey found that there were noticeable differences in stress levels between those who did and did not have a dog by their side. Workers who suffered the least amount of stress were those who were accompanied to work by their dog. Those who suffered most stress, unsurprisingly, were those workers who had left their dog at home.

Having dogs at work can be a bonding experience:

Just like during walkies at the park, dogs can create an office bonding experience between co-workers and clients alike. They can open up lines of communication with colleagues you’ve never spoken to while age-old hostilities can be negotiated via the subtle mediation of a wagging tail.  There’s no denying that dogs are masters of distraction and more than pay their way in terms of bringing the office together.

Is the tube equipped for dogs?

With peak-hour tube trains stacked like sardines – is there room for our four-legged friends?  Sharing my Metropolitan Line commute with a St Bernard who regularly splays himself across the carriage, has made me acutely aware of the space dogs take up.   Toy dogs and terrier tykes that snuggle into handbags may be a more practical solution but is it really fair to put any animal through the rush-hour madness? The stress of delays and being stuck in tube carriages during high temperatures takes its toll on us all and dogs are no exception.

What about allergies and dog phobias?

While we’re a nation of dog lovers, cynophobia (fear of dogs) is listed in the top 15 phobias in the UK.  Symptoms can range from nausea and sweating through to the extremes of crying and screaming. Obviously not what you want in the office. From phobias to allergies: a surprising one in ten pet owners are allergic to their pets with symptoms ranging from sneezing, rashes and hives through to difficulty breathing.  Employers have a duty of care for the physical wellbeing of their staff and phobias and potential allergic reactions need to be factored into any dog-friendly policy.

Dogs behaving badly at work

Just like office workers, not all dogs get on with their peers which poses the delicate question of how many dogs should occupy the same office?  When faced with new people and environments, dogs can also become anxious and display challenging behaviours.   Barking, biting and wreaking havoc with property and possessions are just a few of the headaches that can result from letting the dogs in.  Heaven forbid should any staff member be bitten, does the responsibility lie with the owner or the employer?  Certainly something to chew on.

There are no easy answers to the conundrum of allowing dogs at work.  While on one hand they have been proven to reduce stress, create closer bonds and boost staff loyalty, this has to be balanced by the chaos wreaked by disruptive behaviour. Employers considering letting the dogs in need to have clear policies in place and should learn from companies such as Google who have a dog’s code of conduct just like their human counterparts.