Can bringing pets to work play an important role in the workplace? More specifically, are there any benefits in allowing employees to bring dogs to work? Believe it or not, dog-friendly offices are growing in popularity as the corporate world becomes more inclusive across numerous industries.

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If your office is considering opening its doors to our furry friends, we recommend reading the sections below. By the time we are through, you’ll know why allowing dogs at work has many exciting benefits. You’ll also know exactly how to keep things under control when you bring these extra coworkers with you.

Benefits of Bringing Your Dog to Work

The purpose of bringing your dog to work isn't for fun and games (although there's plenty of that, as well).

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In fact, there are a growing number of studies showing that having dogs at work carries some serious benefits:

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• Stress reduction: The office can be stressful, but gazing into the eyes of a perky pooch can make all of those difficult moments more manageable.
• Increased happiness: Dogs can make even the bleakest of days seem brighter. One tail wag or an excited raise of the ears can immediately boost employee happiness.
• Productivity unleashed: As some studies have shown, having our four-legged friends around can boost productivity as a direct result of the other benefits mentioned here.
• Perceived work-life balance: Bringing pets to work gives a sense that you’ve brought a part of home to the office. Subsequently, employees can feel more relaxed and comfortable, even if they drag themselves in on a rainy Monday morning!

National ‘Bring Your Dog to Work Day’

Technically speaking, every working day could be ‘Take Your Dog to Work Day’ if your office implements a pet-friendly working environment. However, there is actually an official day on the calendar when employees are encouraged to bring their pooch into the office. This day always falls on the Friday after Father's Day.

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In 2024, June 21st was the day when the corporate world merged with the joyous vibes of our canine friends. And this wasn’t the first time! This day has been around since 1999, and for more than 25 years, it's been a day when companies can experiment with one of the more creative office adaptations.

Tips for Taking Your Dog to Work

If you were to Google ‘take dog to work’, you’d get all kinds of weird and wonderful tips and advice. However, in the interest of arming you with practical tips that can be applied to all companies, we’ve got a few things to share:

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• Prepare your pup: Ensure your dog knows and follows basic commands to keep them relaxed and well-behaved in a new office environment.
• Take a doggy bag: Consider taking food, treats, water, and even a dog bed so your pooch feels at home.
• Dog-proof your workspace: Hide those tempting cables and watch out for any dog-unfriendly plants.
• Schedule potty breaks: No one wants an ‘accident’ during a big presentation. Your working schedule should adapt to allow for necessary toilet breaks.
• Respect your coworkers: Remember, not everyone is a dog person. Keep your pup under control.
• Have an exit strategy: Even the most well-trained dogs can be unpredictable. If your pooch gets out of control, make sure you’ve got a plan B to avoid office disruption.

Book a Dog Bed at Your Office with Flexopus!

Imagine if reserving a spot for your furry coworker was as easy as booking a meeting room. Introducing Flexopus, the workplace management system that understands that bringing pets to work has immense benefits. This clever and ever-improving software makes desk-sharing, meeting room booking, and even parking reservations a breeze.

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Flexopus also provides services to bring pets to work in the most seamless manner possible. By opening the Flexopus app, you can now reserve dog beds at specific dates and times. This allows you to plan for having dogs at work with the peace of mind that your pooch has its own space at the office. It also makes it easier to coordinate which employee brings their dog to the office on which day.

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What could be more inclusive and pet-friendly than that?

Summary

By following our tips and using tools like Flexopus, you can create a harmonious environment where two and four-legged colleagues can thrive. So, the next time you head to the office, why not clip on that leash and bring your loyal sidekick along? After all, in the working world, every dog should have its day, and with the right preparation, that day can be every day!

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Remember, a little bark in the workplace might just be the secret to taking a big bite out of stress and boosting productivity.