A dog can really lighten a workplace environment (I mean, look at that face! ^^), but as I discussed last week, there can be some very real downsides to having dogs in the office.
As you know, one particularly fragrant problem is poop in the office, and the resulting loss of productivity and grumbling from co-workers. Today, I am going to discuss other things you should consider before allowing furry paws into the workplace.
First and foremost, are you already in an office space and considering bringing dogs into the space, or are you on the hunt for dog friendly office or co-working spaces?
If you already have the office space, you’re going to need to address and answer the following:
- Does your office building or co-working space allow dogs? Check your lease or co-working website.
- Is anyone in your office allergic?
- Will your landlord require an additional security deposit?
- Does your co-working space require you to complete a basic behavior assessment or acknowledge office rules?
- Is there easy access or a dog run/area to let your pooch go potty?
- Is the surface of your office floor easy to clean? (you know why… )
- Do you have the ability to confine a dog if someone visiting isn’t a crazy dog lover like you? Are there office doors, or can you put a baby gate across the door?
If you are looking for a dog friendly office space or already have one, you must also consider:
- What types of activities do you (and your team) spend most of the time at the office doing? Meetings? Working independently?
- Would a bark or two disrupt the flow, meetings, or phone calls?
- Do you hold meetings with visiting clients?
- Who gets to bring their dogs? Do you decide by seniority, pay grade, or cutest dog?
- What types of limits or rules will you instate for employees regarding bringing their dogs to the office? If you’re the boss, you set the tone.
- In that same spirit, what happens if the dogs in the office aren’t especially fond of each other, or they just aren’t suited for being part of an active social group? (Be honest about your dog’s capacity to hang out with strange people or other dogs.)
Next week I will get detailed about the pros and cons of bringing those pups to the office.