Research: The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Workplace https://hbr.org/2023/11/research-the-benefits-of-a-pet-friendly-workpl...

Compensation And Benefits

Research: The Benefits of a

Pet-Friendly Workplace
by Shawn X. Quan and Kira Schabram

November 13, 2023

HBR Staff/Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images

Summary. As leaders consider what their organization should look like in our
hybrid world, one area they may not be considering is the benefit that pets can
have in the office. But a new research study indicates that there’s a lot of upside
for developing a pet-friendly... more

Managers and organizational leaders are currently exploring the

best ways to conduct in-person and hybrid work, striving to make
the office as inviting as possible while leveraging in-office time for
collaborative activities. In this moment of reflection about when,
where, and how work should be done, it’s an opportune time to
explore out-of-the-box ideas.

1 dari 7 13/12/2023, 10.48

Research: The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Workplace https://hbr.org/2023/11/research-the-benefits-of-a-pet-friendly-workpl...

Let us propose one you may not have considered yet: Your office
pet policy. Based on a new article in the Journal of Management,
published with our colleagues Carisa Lam at University College
London and Kai Chi Yam at the National University of Singapore,
we make an evidence-based case for welcoming four-legged
companions as a competitive advantage.

Pet-Friendly Offices as a Recruitment and Retention Tool

Today, 66% of American households include a pet. The numbers
are even higher for millennials and Gen-Zs. Almost one in five
families added a pet during the pandemic shutdown. Over the
past three years, employees have happily settled into work
arrangements that involve their four-legged companions:
snuggling up during a Zoom call or going on a mid-afternoon
walk.

Force employees to pick between their pet and returning to the

office and you may not like their choice. One study highlighted
intense feelings of guilt and job dissatisfaction among veterinary
nurses most bonded to their own pets when forced to separate.
Indeed, surveys suggest that an increasing number of employees
plan not only their workday routines but also their career
decisions with their pets in mind. Online discussion forums
feature many a confessional like this one from The Dodo: “I left
my full-time job in Chicago to spend more time with Cody — and I
have no regrets.”

In contrast, welcoming pets has tangible benefits. Studies in

diverse settings — traditional offices but also universities,
prisons, hospitals, and courthouses — demonstrate that the
presence of animals increases employee commitment and career
satisfaction and reduces turnover intentions. These positive
effects hold even for employees who have no pets or do not
actively interact with animals at work. Why? Because pet-friendly
policies are seen as evidence that organizations prioritize
employee well-being. For this reason, job seekers also prefer pet-
friendly workplaces. Welcoming pets can help attract and retain
the employees you wish to bring back to the office.
2 dari 7 13/12/2023, 10.48
Research: The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Workplace https://hbr.org/2023/11/research-the-benefits-of-a-pet-friendly-workpl...
In-Office Pets Enhance Workplace Well-being
In academic and U.S. national surveys alike, the majority of
employees express beliefs that pets contribute to a more pleasant
and social work environment. They are on to something. Various
studies we analyzed found that the mere presence of animals
provides employees comfort, buffers against stress, enhances
work engagement, and improves work-life quality. For instance,
in one study, the presence of facility dogs in hospitals was
associated with increased employee sense of accomplishment,
positive job attitudes, and greater mental health.

In-Office Pets Spark Collaboration

Most surprising to our author team was the mounting evidence
that pets function as a social lubricant and conduit for
collaboration. In interviews, employees describe pet-friendly
workplaces as facilitating better communication and
information-sharing and contributing to coworker bonding and
friendships. This seems to be the case because pets increase
employee interactions, reduce feelings of isolation, and serve as
the catalyst for fruitful conversations. Perhaps you can relate if
you’ve ever stopped by a colleague’s cubicle to pet a visiting dog
and found yourself in serendipitous chats. In one series of lab
experiments, psychologists found that participants working on
decision-making tasks in the company of a dog (versus a dog’s
absence) rated their teams as more friendly and attentive, which
increased their subsequent cooperation and interpersonal trust.

Companion animals play an especially crucial role for employees

who have chronic health problems, disabilities, and mental
health challenges, providing them with nonjudgmental
companionship, opening up opportunities for social interaction,
and enhancing their sense of independence. As a side note, this is
also (if not more so) true for service animals, who, of course, fall
into a legal class of their own. In short, welcoming pets can make
the office a more social and inclusive place, key conditions to
foster creative collaboration.

The Challenges of an Inclusive Workplace Pet Policy

3 dari 7 13/12/2023, 10.48
Research: The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Workplace https://hbr.org/2023/11/research-the-benefits-of-a-pet-friendly-workpl...

We hope to have given you some reason to be excited about

welcoming pets. Let us now be transparent about the challenges.

A documented minority of employees view pet-friendly

workplaces as unprofessional, unclean, or unsafe. Objections
range from cultural and religious traditions; past encounters and
phobias; health, hygiene, or allergy concerns; or simply personal
preference. Even employees who like the idea will sour on a pet-
friendly workplace when the reality involves sharing their space
with noisy, disruptive, or aggressive animals. As one redditor
wrote: “I used to work in a WeWork and we’d have our workspace
door open for ventilation — I lost count of the amount of time
someone’s dog from elsewhere on that floor came bounding in
and disrupted everyone. I mean I like dogs so I was amused at a
soppy old boxer begging for attention, but it’s just not appropriate
in a workplace.”

These concerns multiply in organizations where employees

frequently interact with outside stakeholders, such as business
clients, contractors, and consumers. Office Labradors, coffee shop
kitties, bodega cats, and even barbershop roosters have all been
praised for improving customer mood, but we must be mindful
that these outcomes may not generalize elsewhere.

While some people who aren’t comfortable with pets in the office
express their concerns freely, many may not. Conflicting inquiries
for confidential advice from both those who favor and those who
oppose office pets have been posted to askamanager.com for
years. One study sought to understand what to do about this
tension by analyzing five organizations that had instituted dog-
friendly policies within three months to 20 years ago. They found
that harmonious co-existence, as well as acceptance by those who
would prefer the office remain pet free, is difficult but possible
when three criteria are met. Employees must have sufficient job
autonomy; for example, the agency to take their dog out when it
needs a break or to distance themselves from a bothersome pet.
There must also be a culture of open and respectful
communication, so no one suffers in silence. Finally, employees
4 dari 7 13/12/2023, 10.48
Research: The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Workplace https://hbr.org/2023/11/research-the-benefits-of-a-pet-friendly-workpl...

must all buy into a “trial-and-error mentality” and be willing to

update any agreements as needed.

Practical Guidance as You Form Your Pet Policy

As organizations experiment with hybrid work arrangements or a
gradual return to the office, the time is ripe to implement a
successful pet policy. Let us highlight some important
considerations:

Understand the unique needs of your workplace and all

stakeholders.

Be clear about when, where, and which animals are welcome,

owner responsibilities, and how to handle infractions. Extensive
resources are available for guidance. For instance, we now know
that specific breed bans are ineffective and do not improve safety.
Instead, it is best to implement behavioral-based guidelines (i.e.,
don’t ban Dobermans; ban disruptive dogs).

Consider local and legal requirements.

As one redditor joked, “no Burmese pythons in the lobby.” Review

liability for accidents, specify hygienic requirements of areas such
as cafeterias, and communicate all this to employees. Again, you
don’t have to go it alone. Insights are readily available from
industries like hospitality and air travel that have already made
the jump to welcoming certain companion animals. Hilton offers
ideas of what supplies to keep on hand for accidents while the
Department of Transportation has addressed signage and safety
questions. Exemplary guidelines can be found in the Pets Work at
Work toolkit.

Start off small and pilot.

Limit pets to certain days of the week, or select spaces to respect

the needs of those with concerns, to ease the transition to the
office. Be flexible and open to feedback from all involved. For
managers with limited bandwidth, employee resource groups
dedicated to pets (e.g., the Doogler Group at Google, or even

5 dari 7 13/12/2023, 10.48

Research: The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Workplace https://hbr.org/2023/11/research-the-benefits-of-a-pet-friendly-workpl...

participants in a pets Slack channel), can be a great ally in this

effort.

Anticipate that other requests may come up.

Our emphasis has been on bringing pets into the office. Managers
should be aware, however, that this may open the door to other
pet-friendly considerations. Pet owners may lobby for hybrid
work arrangements and non-office days with pets that cannot
come to the office (something researchers already endorse for
deep thought and non-collaborative projects). Those with an
injured, lost, or aging pet may request time off to care or grieve for
their four-legged family member. Younger employees, who
increasingly own pets but delay having children, may lobby to
expand benefits (e.g., negotiating a group rate for pet insurance).
All may offer organizations a competitive edge but come at a cost.

...

A diverse and increasing number of workplaces are considering

welcoming companion animals. The majority of employees,
whether pet owners or not, are on board and seem to benefit from
enhanced workplace culture and quality of life. A minority,
however, have reasonable concerns. So, consider all the
documented benefits and challenges of pet policies as you
consider the shape of your in-person and hybrid workplaces going
forward.

Shawn X. Quan is a doctoral student in

management at the University of Washington’s
Foster School of Business. Her research focuses
on how nonwork factors, including social class
and extracurricular activities, impact
employee’s work. Her four-legged canine
companion is named Popcorn.

6 dari 7 13/12/2023, 10.48

Research: The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Workplace https://hbr.org/2023/11/research-the-benefits-of-a-pet-friendly-workpl...

Kira Schabram is an assistant professor at the

University of Washington’s Foster School of
Business and the Evert McCabe Endowed
Fellow in Private Enterprise. She studies ways
to maximize employee sustainability and
shares her home with two cats and countless
foster pets.

Recommended For You

Creating a Happier Workplace Is Possible - and Worth It

Go Beyond the Basics to Support Nursing Parents at Work

How Paternity Leave Helps Dads' Brains Adapt to Parenting

PODCAST
Sexism Is Everywhere

7 dari 7 13/12/2023, 10.48