by Ellen Shay and Shauna Shipley

Because of the many health benefits of companion animals, allowing pets in the workplace can create a workforce that is happier and less stressed. Being able to bring your pet to work is considered a desirable employment benefit by many people. This can translate to less employee turnover and a more committed workforce.

Animals can make good workplace companions if you plan before they arrive. Check with your employer to see if your organization has a pet policy. If not, create one that explains what the expectations are of both pets and their owners in the office. Your pet policy will serve as guidelines for the management of animals in the workplace. Some issues to consider before adopting a pet policy (and to address when writing your policy) include:

• Increased need for janitorial services
• Liability insurance coverage
• Noise issues
• Employees with allergies
• Impact on working service animal

Pet Policy

A sample pet policy might read:

"Appropriate pets are allowed in the office. Appropriate is defined as a pet whose behavior is acceptable within an office setting. The pet must not adversely affect office operations and must be under control of the owner at all times. Animals may be left in the office briefly while the owner is absent, but must be confined to the owner's office or under direct supervision of a willing employee. The owner must immediately clean up after the animal both inside and outside the office. Any damage by the pet will be charged in full to the owner."

Pet policies may also include:

• A list of what species of animals are allowed: This decision can influence what is meant by "under control." For example, if a wide variety of pets are allowed (cats, dogs, rabbits, fish, and birds), the policy may require animals to be confined to the owner's office or the space around the owner's desk. This ensures the safety of all the animals in the office while allowing for diversity.
• Staff orientation: Staff may need training or access to resources about methods for introducing animals, appropriate animal and owner behavior, and how to interact with office pets.
• Guidelines for animals that aren't spayed or neutered: Coworkers should know which animals are intact so unexpected behavioral issues or breeding can be avoided. Alternately, your policy may request that animals in season be left at home.
• Guidelines for sick animals: Sick animals, especially those with contagious illnesses, should not be brought to work. These guidelines should also include a procedure for alerting owners that other office pets may have been exposed to illnesses or parasites.

Preparing for Animals at Work

To create a positive experience for everyone, follow these guidelines as appropriate for the species of animal.

Pet Checklist

Your pet should:

• Walk beside you on a leash
• Be reliably housebroken
• Remain calm when left alone
• Be well socialized to people, places, sounds, and objects
• Enjoy being around people
• Be vaccinated, free from internal and external parasites, and in good health

Your pet may need the following equipment:

• Collar and leash or carrier
• Treats
• Water bowl
• Clean-up kit consisting of paper towels, plastic bags, and an antibacterial cleanser
• Toys (avoid noisemakers)
• Brush or comb
• Bedding
• Crate, exercise pen, or cage
• Litter box

Exercise your pet regularly. This may include exercising before going to work. A pet that has an adequate workout every day is much less likely to cause disturbances in the office.

Your pet should be well groomed. This may include:

• A bath or spot cleaning
• Brushing the coat
• Cutting/filing the nails
• Cleaning the ears and eyes
• Brushing the teeth

Office Checklist

Your office should be pet proofed. These modifications also benefit all employees.

• Route cords out of the animal's way so they cannot be chewed or disconnected
• Place toxic plants out of reach
• Remove toxic chemicals from the pet's area
• Verify cleaning supplies are animal friendly
• Purchase a pet first-aid kit

Alert your coworkers you will be bringing your pet to work.

Discuss your pet's temperament and any concerns you have with coworkers and answer their questions about your pet.

Establish a plan for introducing your pet to existing office animals. You may want to arrange for the animals to meet off leash in a safe, neutral place.

With your coworkers, determine the best day to bring your pet to work for the first time. Choose a day when the office is quiet and you are not too busy to handle any potential issues. You may also want to work a shorter day or arrange for the animal to go home early.

Inform visitors, temporary workers, and delivery people that animals are present in the office. You may want to post signs on external doors reminding people of this policy.

Bringing Your Pet to Work

The following measures should be taken once you and your pet have arrived at work:

• Keep the pet on a leash or confined while you enter the building.
• Follow the plan you and your coworkers created regarding greeting other people and animals.
• Establish a work routine for your pet. Schedule breaks for feeding, watering, walks, and play to help regulate your animal's behavior. These breaks may need to be more frequent at first due to the stress of being in a new place.
• If appropriate, determine the best place for a litter box, verify your pet knows where it is, and keep it clean.
• Read your animal's body language. Watch for stress symptoms such as excessive panting. If your pet is stressed, a short walk or isolation may help. If your pet is very stressed, consider taking him home.
• Be aware of the temperature. Excessively hot or cold environments may be detrimental to your animal's health.
• Keep your pet under control at all times.
• Remember to reinforce your pet for good behavior.

Impact of bringing your pet to work

Bringing your animal to work can increase your bond with your animal. It can also impact both your lives outside of the office.

• Initially your animal may be very tired because of this change to his routine. This effect will probably decrease as your pet adjusts, but may continue to impact his tolerance for after-work activities. Give him some quiet time every day to help relieve fatigue.
• Having your pet with you may impact your ability to do errands before and after work. An animal should never be unattended in a vehicle due to the threat of overheating, freezing, theft, and damage.
• Your pet may develop new behaviors, such as separation anxiety or territoriality, that may require additional training and behavior modification.

Establishing a pet policy might seem like a lot of work initially, but many of these guidelines are already routine for knowledgeable pet owners. Companies allow animals in the workplace have found that the presence of the animals adds immeasurable value to their organization and their employees' health and happiness.

Read another document in this section:

• Corporate Bonds: Pets Go to the Office