BRAUN: Will your pet go back to work with you?

Article content

A lot of people got dogs during the pandemic.

Article content

So what to do with Fido and Rex now that people are being called back to the office?

The situation with pets and working from home was a hot topic all the way through the pandemic.

The fear was that people would surrender animals once they had to return to work.

(Job loss and economic insecurity during the pandemic were more relevant factors in people giving up animals to shelters.)

Luckily, stringent animal adoption rules in Canada seem to have curbed any mass abandonment of pets once a return to the office began.

And now a movement is a foot to bring pets, especially dogs, to work.

as the toronto sun reported last week, employees want pet-friendly workplaces as they slowly return to the office.

A Leger survey of 1,633 Canadians, commissioned by PetSafe, found that more than half (51%) of Canadian employees support the idea of ​​bringing pets to the workplace, and that includes people who may not have one of their own.

Article content

The poll showed that about 75% of those surveyed recognize that having a pet around reduces stress and improves mood.

There are innumerable studies that show the ameliorating effects of the company of animals, which include companionship, stress reduction and cognitive benefits, particularly for seniors.

The Leger survey found that 18% of people in the 18 to 24 age group would actually change jobs to continue working from home if their employer refused to allow pets at work.

Nice to see this level of devotion to one’s furry companion.

The survey did not include any information about what employers think about bringing pets to work.

There are some issues. Some buildings are no-go-zones, prohibiting animals, with the exception of service dogs.

Article content

The dander in cats and dogs is an allergen for many people, which would make the presence of pets undesirable; there are also people who are frightened of dogs (or even cats) and don’t want to be near animals.

According to Culture Ampthere are legal and logistical issues around having animals in the workplace.

What if someone gets bitten, for example? This is why a proper pet policy is required for any workplace considering allowing animals.

That said, the other party never consulted in any poll are the animals themselves.

It’s great to have your dog at work, but your best friend still needs exercise and stimulation, and it’s not fair to expect him or her to sit quietly under your desk for hours.

As Toronto Humane Society communications expert Hannah Sotropa explained, one needs to know the work space and the animal to get it right.

“Talk to your work place about it’s pet-policy! They will be able to tell you whether the space is pet-safe or pet-proofed,” said Sotropa.

“It’s also important to understand your individual animal’s needs to be able to assess whether they make a good office-pet candidate.”