As many people and local businesses are trying to be positive about the return to work after lockdown a story about a way to spread happiness in the workplace would be well received.

When people make the transition back to work after being home with our dogs for so long during lockdown having to leave them to go back to work will be too much to bear, especially for those who have a dog with separation anxiety.

Many employers are looking for ways to support their staff in the transition back to some kind of normality so wouldn’t it be great if the ‘new normal’ involves more workplaces than ever considering allowing employees to take their dogs to work. That would mean happier people and happier dogs.

Studies have proven that pets have a calming effect on us – they reduce blood pressure, lower stress and can make employees more productive and friendly.

The University of Southern Carolina produced a study which said, “More and more frequently, employers and employees are discovering that pets at the workplace make them happier, lower stress levels, and create a comfortable, flexible environment.

A third of UK businesses – that’s 1.7 million – already have a pet policy in place and welcome pets into their offices.

Our dogs are loving us being at home with them as they are pack animals and being isolated isn’t natural for them. We live in a social system where groups of people join together, separate and then meet up again frequently. Dogs have experienced this type of social living for a much shorter period in their evolution and have evolved living in fully cohesive groups who always stay together.

Being separated from us again will be tough for many dogs and after lockdown many more dogs have developed separation anxiety, especially puppies who have never had chance to learn that alone time is okay along with others who will have to re-learn how to be comfortable with it.

So taking them to work would be a perfect solution and according to research conducted by Purina PetCare’s Pets at Work (PAW) scheme more than four-fifths of UK employees believe pet-friendly workplaces are happier offices to work in, with workers saying organisations allowing dogs to come to work have the biggest positive impact on their wellbeing.

In a poll done by Animal Friends Insurance one in ten owners said they’ve swopped jobs to better accommodate their pet. I spoke to a client today who had changed jobs and taken a massive £20,000 pay cut so she could spend more time with her dogs.

In the poll 25% of workers said they have to go home during working hours to check on their pets and many people pay dog walkers or have to depend on family and friends to visit their pooches while they are at work.

But for owners of dogs with separation anxiety life isn’t that easy as they cannot be left alone for any period of time as will become distressed and dog sitters or day care is expensive as well as being stressful for their owners.

So if you need a way to persuade your boss to let you take your dog to work, not just on National take your dog to work day try a few of these.

Having pets in the office reduces stress and can make employees feel more relaxed.

A pet-friendly workplace can improve morale and make employees more productive and friendly.

Allowing pets in the office can boost their customer’s perception of the business in a positive way

It can soften the company’s image and makes their business seem more progressive and forward thinking.

People are often willing to work longer hours and work later as they don’t have to worry about rushing home to let their dog out.

91 per cent of people who live in the UK say that find having a dog around them is a calming influence

94 per cent believe a pets presence can improve their own confidence.

There are even employee heath benefits as people are more likely to go for a walk at lunch time

So make sure your dog is well behaved and a model employee

Suggest they try having designated pet-friendly days of the week and a shared calendar for employees to sign up for the days they’d like to bring their dog in

Bingo

Happier people, happier dogs.

Just don’t take squeaky toys into your meetings as that may not make you popular! 🙂