Work/Life/ Pets
Airbnb Pets are given their very own “employee” badges to scan into work every day with their owner. Amazon The dog-loving culture at Amazon started with a lovable corgi named Rufus who hung around in the early days of the company. Now in 2024, over 10,000 dogs are registered to work across the U.S. and Australia offices. Ben & Jerry’s The ice cream brand loves the workplace doggos so much that in 2021 it developed a line of frozen desserts specifically for dogs. Etsy From the beginning, Etsy (2005) has welcomed employee pets with open arms. Google Google went as far as to incorporate a dog park at its Mountain View campus, called The Large companies that allow pets in the workplace:
T he presence of four-legged companions in the workplace can boost overall company morale, but their addition can also have downsides. Due to the high volume of adoption rates of pets during the pandemic—according to the American Pet Products Association as of 2024, 66% of U.S. households own a pet. And now in a post-pandemic world, pet owners are craving that proximity to their fur babies. In fact, current job seekers tend to seek out pet-friendly workplaces. In a recent LiveCareer study, the resume-building company found that 52% of respondents said that pet-friendly benefits and policies are important when considering an employer. Pets in the office can benefit a workplace’s well-being. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that pediatric health-care professionals who worked with a facility dog experienced less work- related burnout and increased mental health. In-office pets can also help facilitate more collaboration with coworkers. They serve as conversation starters and can increase employee interactions. These four-legged friends help with emotional support when stressful situations arise which could, in turn, increase productivity. Pets in the workplace do not, however, come without their potential setbacks. There are concerns surrounding possible allergies, safety issues surrounding the pet’s behavior, increased distractions, phobias and cleanliness. Various publications advise employers looking to go pet- friendly to consider looking into guidelines to ensure the well-being of employees and their furry friends. Indeed encourages employers to ensure both pets and employees are healthy, confirm pet vaccinations, practice patience when introducing new pets and provide proper training to employees regarding working with pets. Working like a dog— the rise of pet-friendly offices By Rosie Padilla
Doogleplex. Salesforce The San Francisco headquarters has a
“Puppyforce” room for employees to reserve and share a workspace with their furry friends as well as pet adoption events held at local shelters.
July 2024
NorthBaybiz 17
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