Many companies are increasingly exploring a pet-friendly initiative to enhance employee morale, promote a positive culture around the workplace, and improve overall job satisfaction and employee retention rates at their respective organizations. In recent years, the trend of pet-friendly workplaces has gained traction as more businesses recognize the potential benefits of allowing pets in the office. One emerging notion is that allowing pets at work can contribute to better health outcomes for employees. 

On the whole, it’s always in a business’s best interest to promote physical health among its employees and reduce the number of sick days employees file. Poor physical health can lead to higher medical costs and decreased productivity, which ultimately impacts a company’s bottom line.

But how exactly do pets factor into the equation, and how does a pet-friendly work policy help maintain a healthy and efficient workforce? Here’s a deeper dive into the benefits of allowing pets at work, all towards improving employees’ physical health and their work performance:

1. A Pet-Friendly Policy Can Increase Employee Activity Levels

First, organizations that are willing to integrate pets into the workplace will be able to promote a culture of activity and movement. Employees that are allowed to bring their pets to work are naturally encouraged to engage in more physical activities throughout the day.

For example, walking a dog during breaks will allow the pet to get its daily quota of exercise and also give the employee owner a chance to stretch their legs and get fresh air. This simple act can significantly break up long periods of sitting, which are known to have adverse effects on health. Moreover, employees who are more physically active throughout the day tend to experience higher energy levels, which can translate to improved productivity and creativity in their work.

To further encourage activity, businesses might consider also providing essential pet supplies to employees, such as customizable dog collars with tags on them. Branded collars from the company can also include features like reflective strips for added visibility during evening walks. This ensures that both the pet and their owner can enjoy their time during and after work safely—a demonstration of thoughtfulness that employees are also certain to appreciate.

In addition, businesses can rethink or launch new structured activities to involve pets. It’s possible to organize walking meetings, where employees discuss work matters while strolling outside with their dogs. For sure, this can make meetings more dynamic and encourage collaboration within the team. Play sessions with pets can also be scheduled during work hours, allowing employees to briefly step away from their desks, interact with their pets, and promote physical movement in a fun way. With these ideas at your disposal, consider going against the traditionally sedentary office lifestyle and promoting movement among your employees with a new pet-friendly policy.

2. Allowing Pets at Work Can Lower Employee Stress Levels 

Contemporary studies have demonstrated a strong link between pet interaction and lower stress levels. Commonly cited is the notion that when employees engage with pets, such as petting their dog or cat, their bodies can experience a decrease in their levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. 

Lower cortisol levels can reduce overall tension, which leads to lower blood pressure and heart rates. The stress-relieving interaction with a pet can also stimulate the release of oxytocin, which further promotes feelings of bonding and happiness.

Such physiological changes are attributed to improved cardiovascular health, as lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other related conditions. Less stressed employees tend to be more focused, creative, and engaged in their work, and a larger number of healthier employees will mean fewer instances of illness and reduced absenteeism. You may not be able to see the effects of your pet-friendly policy translate into these results immediately, but it’s definitely worth exploring in the long haul.

3. A Pet-Friendly Policy Enhances Camaraderie and Strengthens a Sense of Community among Your Employees

Allowing pets in the workplace can significantly enhance camaraderie and foster a greater sense of community among pet-loving employees. When pets are present, they often serve as natural icebreakers—thus creating opportunities for informal interactions and conversations that would never have happened otherwise. Employees who might not typically engage with one another may find common ground through their shared love for animals, leading to stronger interpersonal relationships within the organization.

Pet-friendly workplaces can also encourage organized group activities, such as dog-walking clubs, pet days, or even charity events focused on animal welfare. These activities will further promote teamwork and collaboration, and employees may be more motivated to look after themselves and show up for opportunities that benefit both their pets and the community. A more supportive and community-driven work environment, pets included, can boost employees’ holistic health in ways that benefit both them and the company.

4. Allowing Pets at Work Can Improve Employees’ Mental Health

The social interactions that are a result of a pet-friendly atmosphere can also lead to improved mental health for employees. Having their pets around and being able to depend on a supportive work environment can reduce feelings of isolation and stress among employees, thus motivating them to show up and be their best selves as often as possible.

The improved mental health outcomes of a pet-friendly workplace will inevitably extend to employees’ physical health. Reduced stress and increased happiness, after all, are linked to better overall health outcomes, including lower blood pressure and improved immune function. If you can count on an employee to be happier and more engaged at work with their coworkers (as well as their pets), you might observe that they’re less likely to take sick days.

Additional Consideration: Properly Implementing a Pet-Friendly Policy in the Workplace

Before allowing pets in the workplace, however, businesses should assess their workplace environment and their readiness to roll out a pet-friendly policy. Considerations such as safety, potential allergies, and availability of space at the office must be taken into account.

It’s also important to create a plan that addresses these concerns while ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable environment for both pets and employees. If you’re in a position of power at the company, the onus is also on you to establish clear guidelines for pet behavior, such as using proper restraints and requiring vaccinations and regular health checks to help maintain a safe atmosphere for both human and pet occupants of the office space.

As demonstrated in the arguments above, there are considerable holistic health benefits to allowing pets at work, and these could lead to fewer sick days and a healthier workforce overall. Assess the merits of rolling out a pet-friendly policy in your own company to improve your bottom line and uphold a culture that values health, work-life balance, and the inspiring bond between humans and animals.

Guest writer.