Who hasn't been tempted to go into a cat cafe, to have a drink with a furry little animal on their lap?
Now imagine being greeted by Patapouf every morning when you arrive at the office..
Nowadays, more and more companies offer pet-friendly offices where employees can bring their pets to work.
However, turning an office into a mini kennel is not without its challenges. Between fur allergies and Coco the parrot's feathers always finding their way into your keyboard, there's plenty to spark conversations by the coffee machine.
What are the benefits of animal companionship at work?
According to the Centrale Canine, 39% of French people would like dogs to be more accepted in companies, a figure that rises to 53% among those who own one. The benefits their presence provides have been the subject of several studies, all unanimous on the topic: stress reduction, productivity stimulation, better work-life balance…
Bringing pets to work is an increasingly common practice in the United States, particularly through initiatives like "Take Your Dog To Work", which is a national day encouraging people to come to work with their dog and demonstrates the desire to integrate this comforting aspect of domestic life into the professional environment.
In addition to enhancing dogs' well-being, the presence of pets in the workplace has shown several benefits for employees:
- Stress reduction: According to a survey conducted by BARK, approximately 32% of dog owners believe they would be happier and less stressed at work if they could have their pet by their side.
- Increased productivity: a survey conducted by the University of Lincoln shows that 33% of employees who work alongside their dog demonstrate greater concentration and 16.5% feel more engaged with their mission(s).
- Team cohesion
The challenges and responsibilities of pets in open-plan offices
While pets in the office can bring benefits, they also come with drawbacks. Depending on the animal's temperament, the work environment, and ambient noise, managing this responsibility can increase daily stress. Some animals are unpredictable and require constant supervision to prevent accidents. Furthermore, pet hair allergies are common and can make the work environment uncomfortable for some colleagues.
In France, no law prohibits employees from bringing their pets to work, but it is up to the employer to define rules and carefully weigh the pros and cons. It is essential to consult all concerned parties, because even if only 3% of French people are allergic to pets, more than one in ten people are allergic to cat hair.
How much does it cost to adopt a pet?
On average, factoring in food, vet visits, and accessories, the cost of adopting a cat would be between €300 and €1000 per year, a significant amount for companies with small budgets.
Ready to adopt a pet for your office?
If the idea of being around your colleagues' pets doesn't appeal to you, it's also possible to take in animals in need at your workplace.
For example, in Limoges, the company La Boite à Papier decided to adopt 2 stray cats from their neighborhood!
The employees of this company attest to the calming effect of the two cats' presence in the office. They also state that these pets create and strengthen social bonds among colleagues.
If remote work is common in your company, or if it regularly closes during holidays, it will not be possible to properly care for a pet.
Cats, dogs, and rodents are animals that require constant and attentive presence, as well as outdoor space.
If your staff and premises aren't ideally suited to host certain animals, it's better to consider more solitary ones that require less attention, such as fish.
So, integrating wildlife and flora in open-plan offices is a growing method for improving employees' quality of life, similar to office layouts with acoustic booths.
If you'd like to learn more about beneficial techniques to improve employee well-being, you can read this article: 12 techniques to improve your employees' well-being.
