Dogs at work?

[hj0519]

I work in a dog-friendly office. There are probably around 40-50 dogs that are approved to come into the office now. The dogs have to stay gated in their owner's cubicle, so it isn't just a free for all of fifty dogs roaming free, and there's a probationary period to make sure that the dog behaves and is able to handle being in the office.

I love it, I think it's nice to be able to go snuggle a dog or take one out for a quick walk when things get stressful. Because dogs are the norm and not just a once in a while thing, I don't think they're distracting or affect productivity at all (except for the first couple of weeks that a new puppy comes in).

 

[MataHari22]

I think it's great if they are well behaved and good dogs. Don't know about the cats thing, I'm highly allergic to cats. I love them, but I cannot be around them.

My dog would be a good one to bring to an office. I bring him all kinds of places. I have a pouch that I can put on my chest and when I just touch that thing, he goes ballistic. He would stay in there, like a little Joey, 24/7, if he had his way. He just hangs out in there, and doesn't make a peep. I run errands, bring him when I get my hair done because my hairdresser loves him, he likes it. If I don't have the pouch, he just sits on my lap.

 

[Poohforyou]

I love our dog. He's curled up right next to me now. But just like with my husband and daughter, I need a break from the ones I love or I wouldn't love them as much as I do. I wouldn't want him with me at work. I would actually get less work done.

 

[kmb584]

I haven't. I have a Rottie who is a giant sweetheart, but I know that the breed has a lot of stigma surrounding it and don't think the patients would appreciate her presence. With that, I'd also never be allowed to bring her in as I work in an ENT/Allergy office.

 

[sam_gordon]

Here's a question... Let's say someone interviews for a job at one of these "pet friendly" offices. They get offered the job, then reveal they're allergic to dogs. What happens? The company can't rescind the offer, right? Does the company then end the pet friendly policy? Wouldn't that then make some employees resentful to the new hire?

 

[loves to dive]

My puppy at work and cause it's football day, in her cheerleader dress.

 

[Southernmiss]

Not an animal lover. I would not want to work in an office with animals. Allergies, hair mess, watching not to step on animals. No thanks.

Some people are not kid people. Some people are not animal people.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Here's a question... Let's say someone interviews for a job at one of these "pet friendly" offices. They get offered the job, then reveal they're allergic to dogs. What happens? The company can't rescind the offer, right? Does the company then end the pet friendly policy? Wouldn't that then make some employees resentful to the new hire?

Aren't you over-thinking my question? . A simple yes or no would have been sufficient. Of course, in order for pets to be allowed in the workplace there should not be a threat to anyone's health.

TC

 

[jrmasm]

Here's a question... Let's say someone interviews for a job at one of these "pet friendly" offices. They get offered the job, then reveal they're allergic to dogs. What happens? The company can't rescind the offer, right? Does the company then end the pet friendly policy? Wouldn't that then make some employees resentful to the new hire?

Seems to me if you are allergic to dogs and knowingly accept a job at a pet friendly work place, it should be up to you to deal with the consequences of your own decision.

 

[mom2rtk]

Aren't you over-thinking my question? . A simple yes or no would have been sufficient. Of course, in order for pets to be allowed in the workplace there should not be a threat to anyone's health.

TC

It's the DIS. Overthinking stuff is our specialty!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I love dogs at work but one of my old co-workers was terrified of dogs. When interviewing it was one of the first things mentioned - they are a dog friendly office and if you are allergic or afraid of dogs, this wasn't the job for you. She took the job anyway silly woman.
If I'd had my sweet Sophie when I worked there, I'd have brought her to work. She was such an affectionate dog. I miss her still and she's been gone a long time.

One of the guys regularly brought in his adorable elderly mutt and she would hide in her cubicle and call me to ask where the dog was when she had to leave her cubicle. The dog was so old he barely moved. She left after about 6 months, said she just couldn't handle dogs being around.

I also worked for a short time at one small business that had an owner that brought in his giant Great Pyreness - wonderful dog but unfortunately he never treated the poor thing for fleas. There were fleas all over the office - it was bad. I was getting eaten alive and had cats at home so when I mentioned getting the place treated for fleas and the owner denied there was a flea problem, I resigned and found another job.

 

[mom2rtk]

I also worked for a short time at one small business that had an owner that brought in his giant Great Pyreness - wonderful dog but unfortunately he never treated the poor thing for fleas. There were fleas all over the office - it was bad. I was getting eaten alive and had cats at home so when I mentioned getting the place treated for fleas and the owner denied there was a flea problem, I resigned and found another job.

That's absolutely ridiculous.

 

[kimblebee]

Not an animal lover. I would not want to work in an office with animals. Allergies, hair mess, watching not to step on animals. No thanks.

Some people are not kid people. Some people are not animal people.

I just keep thinking about the smell in that office that allows 40-50 dogs.

 

[sam_gordon]

Aren't you over-thinking my question? . A simple yes or no would have been sufficient. Of course, in order for pets to be allowed in the workplace there should not be a threat to anyone's health.

TC

I answered your question on page 1.

Seems to me if you are allergic to dogs and knowingly accept a job at a pet friendly work place, it should be up to you to deal with the consequences of your own decision.

Read again. I never said "accepted". I said "offered". Wouldn't an allergy be considered a medical disability and the company has to make accommodations? Also, I don't think an employer can ask about medical issues other than how they'd relate to doing the job (i.e.: can you use a ladder, can you carry 50 pounds, can you stand on your feet all day, etc).

 

[Southernmiss]

I just keep thinking about the smell in that office that allows 40-50 dogs.

The smell would be a big turn off to me. My hot sweaty kids smell like wet dog often enough! And stinky soccer cleats smell like cat pee. That's a hard smell to remove. Yuck!

 

[jrmasm]

I answered your question on page 1.

Read again. I never said "accepted". I said "offered". Wouldn't an allergy be considered a medical disability and the company has to make accommodations? Also, I don't think an employer can ask about medical issues other than how they'd relate to doing the job (i.e.: can you use a ladder, can you carry 50 pounds, can you stand on your feet all day, etc).

Read again. If you're dog allergic, don't accept a job at a dog friendly workplace. It really should be that damn simple.

 

[Tuffcookie]

So much for starting what I thought was a "light" thread!

TC

 

[wilkeliza]

I answered your question on page 1.

Read again. I never said "accepted". I said "offered". Wouldn't an allergy be considered a medical disability and the company has to make accommodations? Also, I don't think an employer can ask about medical issues other than how they'd relate to doing the job (i.e.: can you use a ladder, can you carry 50 pounds, can you stand on your feet all day, etc).

I don't think allergies are covered under required accommodations. We have someone in our office who is anaphylactic to nuts and a few other things. It is made very clear that it is his responsibilty at the end of the day. If the company gets everyone food that they pay for he gets an amount to cover his lunch somewhere he feels comfortable ordering from or they ask for any major food allergies to be know . However, they don't stop us from bringing peanuts into the building or baking stuff with peanuts and bringing it in to share. He also assumes everything has nuts until told other wise because he says it is his job to make sure he doesn't have too much contact with nuts or eat anything that may contain nuts.

 

[kimblebee]

I don't think allergies are covered under required accommodations. We have someone in our office who is anaphylactic to nuts and a few other things. It is made very clear that it is his responsibilty at the end of the day. If the company gets everyone food that they pay for he gets an amount to cover his lunch somewhere he feels comfortable ordering from or they ask for any major food allergies to be know . However, they don't stop us from bringing peanuts into the building or baking stuff with peanuts and bringing it in to share. He also assumes everything has nuts until told other wise because he says it is his job to make sure he doesn't have too much contact with nuts or eat anything that may contain nuts.

Does he have a nut allergy or a peanut allergy? Two very different things..

 

[wilkeliza]

Does he have a nut allergy or a peanut allergy? Two very different things..

It is both. I know peanuts and almonds have been brought up as issues and he doesn't often eat things brought in from people's homes since our big bakers at work use almond flour often. He is always hesitant around food and says he doesn't really trust home made stuff due to cross contamination.