With the greater emphasis on pets, especially canines, in the modern American society, a number of employees have pets waiting for them at home. The separation from their pet can be mentally draining and can be tough to manage for most pet owners. However, with the advent of dog-friendly offices, there is a ray of shining light for most pet owners.
Having dogs inside the office is a truly awesome privilege that not all organizations realize. In this article, we take a look at some of the amazing benefits of a dog-friendly workplace. These benefits will definitely sway you in favor of updating your policies and allowing employees to bring in their dogs to the workplace.
Improved Health and Morale
Pets are known to have a positive impact on the mental well-being and morale of their owners. On a physical level, dog owners tend to have good heart health achieved through lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Pets also provide a sense of security and companionship to their owners, which can uplift their general mood during the day and can help give them the kind of motivation they require.
Enhanced Collaboration
Interestingly, a study conducted by CMU, the Central Michigan University, found that the presence of dogs in the workplace can significantly help improve cooperation and communication. Participants in the study were broken down into small teams and asked to collaborate in rooms with dogs present inside. The results were amazing, as the presence of canine friends inside the workplace really did help uplift the mood of all employees.
Reduce Stress
As we near the end of March, workplaces will gear up for the stress awareness month of April. However, stress awareness and information shouldn’t just be limited to one month of the year. In a study conducted by the Virginia Commonwealth University, workplaces that allowed pets inside had a more stress-free environment than those that didn’t allow them. While the reason isn’t fully clear, studies have revealed that dogs help release oxytocin, which is a hormone for combating stress and its related hormone, cortisol.
Drives Creativity and Productivity
With improved collaboration and reduced stress, it is no surprise that the presence of dogs in the workplace can actually boost creativity and productivity. Productivity is significantly enhanced when employees take short breaks and not spend too much time on their disk. The inability to move around and take breaks can lead to monotony in the workplace.
We at JS Benefits Group have worked with numerous clients to develop a dog friendly environment in the workplace. You can get in touch with JS Benefits Group immediately to discuss and devise a plan.
