Many households enjoy the presence of at least one pet. Owning a pet offers numerous benefits, but it can be highly beneficial to have a pet in the workplace, as well! Here at EON, we love our office dog, Henry, who is pictured below. Here are 3 reasons – all supported by scientific research – for having a dog at work.
#1: Boost Morale
It’s no secret that dogs can make us happy, but we are probably unaware that office dogs can significantly lower our stress. Even by looking over at a dog, we can increase our levels of oxytocin, which is known as the “feel good” hormone. In a scientific study of 76 employees, those who were not around a dog during the workday reported drastically higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol by the end of the workday.
#2: Improve Team Culture
Having a dog around the office can promote a calming and friendly atmosphere, which is especially important for team work. A 2010 Central Michigan University experiment found that paired groups with a dog in the room rated their colleagues significantly higher in trust, team cohesion, and intimacy. Dogs are a great conversation starter and can naturally build camaraderie.
#3: Increase productivity
While having a dog around the office sounds like fun, many might question whether it would be a source of distraction. According to a 2008 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, companies that allow pets in the workplace not only have employees who are more willing to work longer hours, but also a lower rate of employee absenteeism.
Does your company have a favorite office pet? We would love to hear about him/her!
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/23/business/office-dogs-stress/
http://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/benefits-of-pets-in-workplace
