Bring your dog to work day!

Stress in the workplace is a really big problem in the UK.  

We already know it’s one of the leading causes of unplanned absence, and it can lead to a number of other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety.

It’s no good for your employees and it’s no good for business. 

And while a good employer will take the necessary steps to try to reduce stress wherever possible, sometimes we need to start thinking of different ways to ease the load.

The 24th of June is a day that might help things a little bit.

It’s Bring Your Dog To Work Day!

Yes, I know that might sound a little twee, but in reality, there are lots of benefits to having a four-legged friend in your office. Studies have shown that having a pup as a colleague can help to boost employee satisfaction, work ethic, and can even enhance performance. 

Dogs offer social support, are proven to help reduce stress, and they increase cognitive ability, too. 

And while so many of us became dog parents during the pandemic, it’s a great way to stop pets from feeling lonely now that we’ve returned (in part) to our offices. 

But before you stock up on treats, there are a few things you’ll need to consider first. 

Check that none of your staff have a fear or phobia of dogs. Bringing a bulldog into the office might be appealing to some, but if someone has had a bad experience with dogs, it’s going to have the exact opposite affect that you’re aiming for.

Likewise, you need to make sure that any potential furry colleague is going to behave in the office. Are they likely to get scared and bite someone? Would they jump up at customers that come to the office? Are they properly toilet trained? 

Finally, if you consider making yours a dog-friendly office permanently, how will you decide who can bring their pup in and when? Consider this before making any decisions so that things are done fairly and nobody feels excluded.

Oh, and if you do bring your dog to work on the 24th, please, please make sure you send me photographic evidence! 

#BringYourDogToWorkDay #StressRelief #OfficePup #NewColleague