What makes a great place to work?
Flexible work hours, food allowances, free transit, gym membership… did you say beer?
Companies these days offer a gamut of perks to attract and retain talent and foster a work culture that’s inviting and infectious (in a good way!) And what better way to workplace happiness than dogs?
Why are so many companies welcoming dogs at the workplace?
Office blues got you feeling ruff? Imagine your workday soundtrack replaced by the happy symphony of tail wags, playful barks, and the comforting click-clack of keyboards. That’s the reality for countless pups and their humans who work in dog-friendly offices!
Ever since the pandemic blurred the lines between work and home, the desire for flexibility and furry companionship has only grown. Thankfully, many companies are recognizing the benefits of four-legged coworkers, creating a work environment that’s as good for pups as it is for productivity.
Science supports what dog lovers have long known: having a dog around simply makes life better. Some of the benefits of having a dog-friendly office are reduced stress, happiness, and enhanced productivity.
1. Dogs, the perfect stressbusters! Virginia Commonwealth University measured the stress levels of employees with and without pets (and non-pet owners) showing that pups at work keep stress low and job satisfaction high.
A 2012 study also found that employees showed significantly low-stress levels when they were allowed to bring dogs to work.
2. Pets keep you active and help decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Having a pet also encourages employees to take breaks during the day that they may not take if they didn’t have a pet.
3. Dogs encourage social interaction between people, according to another research that examined the effects of dogs in the workplace. A study by Central Michigan University also showed that dogs in the workplace result in increased trust and collaboration between co-workers.
4. Spending time with dogs makes you happy as it increases your level of oxytocin, the “love hormone.”
Best places to work with dogs
Smart employers know why BYOD (Bring your own dog) to the workplace is such a great idea, and are finding ways to celebrate the canine. In fact, June 22 is being celebrated as “Take Your Dog to Work Day”.
Forget the usual ping pong tables and nap pods – Silicon Valley’s coolest perk these days might have four paws and a wagging tail. Tech titans like Google and Amazon are setting the standard with sprawling campuses featuring on-site dog parks, walking trails, and even pet insurance for furry employees. But the trend isn’t limited to big names.
Startups and tech companies are embracing the dog-friendly revolution, recognizing the stress-reducing power of a canine companion and the morale boost these pups bring to the daily grind. Think chew-toy-filled break rooms and designated “yappy hour” social gatherings – these companies are redefining the work experience for dog lovers. So, if you’re a tech wiz with a coding canine by your side, these innovative workplaces might just be the perfect place to unleash your skills (and your pup’s playful energy) in a truly dog-gone delightful way.
Here are some inspiring dog-friendly offices where you should definitely try to slip your CV!
Dog-friendly offices
1. Amazon: At their Seattle headquarters, Amazon employees share the workspace with as many as 7,000 dogs! The campus has designated dog relief areas and dog-friendly water fountains. They even have a doggie deck —complete with a fake fire hydrant—where dogs can run around.
Amazon supports its registered dogs with an on-campus dog park, free poop bags, treats and also offers discounted pet insurance to pet parents.
“Amazon has been dog-friendly since Day 1. Our dogs add to the fun, dynamic energy of our workplace. In the early days of Amazon.com, a husband and wife team brought their Welsh corgi, Rufus, to work with them, and he became a surprisingly productive part of the team. Employees would use Rufus’ paw to click the computer mouse to launch some of the earliest pages of Amazon.com”
~ Lara Hirschfield, Amazon’s “Woof Pack Manager”
Rufus’ memory is still honoured at Amazon: There are photos of him around campus, and there’s even a building named after him.
Closer home, The Tata group leads the way when it comes to caring for stray dogs.
2. Autodesk, the maker of popular design software used by engineers and architects, makes sure its dog-loving employees can enjoy their pets at work. The company’s pet policy includes provisions to ensure everyone at the office is happy even with as many as 25 dogs are hanging around. The company also provides pet insurance discounts, which cover dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, and more.
3. Ben & Jerry’s, the ice cream giant have a pet-friendly office that welcomes their beloved dogs. We are sure these happy dogs must be getting ample treats!
4. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s amazing dog policies include – a special concierge service: Get your dog dropped off and picked up from the in-house doggy day spa. And that’s not all, they also have Birthday “cele-bear-ations” for dogs complete with tasty cakes!
5. ETSY, the craft marketplace, wants employees to bring dogs to work in its effort to create a “casual, creative, and inspiring work environment,” according to a blog on the company’s culture. It’s just one of the ways Etsy encourages a sense of community at work, which also includes sharing meals and volunteering.
6. Electronic Arts, one of the world’s largest game makers, encourages employees to bring pets to work. Because there are only so many video games you can play! EA even welcomes rabbits who can be seen camping out at their owners’ desks.
‘Dogs with jobs’ are helping humans in incredible ways!
7. Glassdoor, the employer review site, has certainly earned rave reviews for its pet-friendly workplace policy which allows for 30 dogs in its headquarters every day.
They also have a pet-free area for employees who may be afraid of dogs or have allergy issues. Everyone at Glassdoor has a soft spot for dogs, especially facilities. They have an area by the front desk which is always stocked with dog supplies, treats. Plus, the CEO has soft spot for pups, and brings in his a lot.”
8. GoDaddy, the leading domain registering site, places dogs as pivotal to help its employees’ mental health. The dogs at GoDaddy help reduce stress and anxiety, and are treated as part of the company with their own GoDaddy badges!
9. Google, the internet giant, has dogs enshrined in the company’s code of conduct: “Google’s affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture. We like cats, but we’re a dog company, so as a general rule we feel cats visiting our offices would be fairly stressed out.”
They not only allow dogs to visit the office but the frequent visitors even get their own badges! Dog lovers can also join the “Dooglers” —a group of self-professed canine loving Google employees—and visit a dog-themed cafe on campus inspired by Yoshka, the company’s first dog.
10. HootSuite’s office has 20 full-time dogs that work alongside humans each day.
11. Humane Society – This dog-loving organization published Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces, “the definitive guide to creating a business environment where employees’ dogs are welcome.”
Their own policy allows for reimbursement for pet care expenses incurred due to work-related travel, discounts on pet insurance, and more.
12. P&G welcomes pets into the workplace and they even give them corporate roles. In fact, they sent a press release announcing the retirement of Euka, their V.P. of canine communications (a yellow Lab) and announced her successor, Pawl Griffin. “Griffin will handle his role well. He’s young and eager, and he’s been trained by the best”, the official statement read.
13. Mashable, the global media company has a CEO with dog allergies, but he keeps his door shut and allows employees to enjoy the company of their pets. Having a dog at work lets the staff get exercise and sunshine during the day, rather than being at their chair the whole time.
14. Salesforce, the cloud-based software firm, has Puppyforce, the company’s official pet policy. This allows up to six employees to book a special room outfitted with everything dogs and their owners could want for a comfortable day at the office, including soundproofed walls, water bowls, padded cages, dog beds, and cleaning wipes. They also provide employees with pet insurance discounts, dog walking, pet supplies, and vet house calls.
15. Tito’s Vodka, calls itself “Vodka for Dog People.” They allow all of their employees to bring their dogs to the office. They also partner with animal welfare organizations about 800 times a year to help rescue dogs.
See also: Brewdog, the beer company which celebrates dogs.
16. VMware welcomes dogs at their Paolo Alto office as a part of their “open campus” policy. After signing a simple etiquette agreement, employees can bring their dogs to work. They also provide the pet outfitted with a tag and bandana.
17. Workday, the finance and human resources software firm, welcomes dogs at the office premises. They offer financial assistance for pet adoptions and have an annual ‘Bring Your Dog to Workday’ party at its headquarters.
18. Zynga, the creator of popular games such as Farmville, is named after the founder’s bulldog. At Zynga, “every day is ‘bring your dog to workday.” They even have a rooftop dog park and free dog treats. They also welcome cats, ferrets, and lizards too!
19. Kinship provides company-supported paid time off for both welcoming a new pet and in the case of a pet passing away. They also offer their staff an annual stipend for pet products.
Inspired already?
Wait no more, spruce up your CV and head off to the career section of these dog-friendly companies!