Employer concerns regarding pets at work
Please note: The following information, resources and templates are provided as a courtesy and are not intended to provide legal advice. Your event materials and policies should be customized to adhere to any local laws, building codes and business policies.
What if my employer has concerns about participating?
Some first-time participants have concerns about organizing an event that allows dogs (or cats) in the workplace, but once companies participate and see what fun the day is, most choose to participate year after year!
Why should an employer want to participate in PSI's Take Your Dog to Work Day®, Take Your Cat to Work Day® or Take Your Pet To Work Week®?
The events offer businesses a positive, unique opportunity to:
- increase community involvement.
- establish new community ties by partnering with a local animal shelter, rescue group, humane society and/or professional pet sitter to organize the event.
- show employees you care about the role pets play in their lives.
- provide a low-cost "pet perk" to employees at a time when many companies have been forced to decrease benefits.
- garner positive media attention.
- most importantly, support an important cause—pet adoption!
Various studies and surveys also highlight the positive impact of pets at work.
What if my employer has concerns about participating?
Some first-time participants have concerns about organizing an event that allows dogs or other pets in the workplace, but once companies participate and see what fun the day is, they choose to participate year after year!
However, there are some issues that you may have to consider when planning your event:
Building codes. If your company owns the building where you work, seeking special permission to allow dogs is likely not needed (unless the workspace in in a shared business plaza, etc.). However, if the office space is rented or leased, management may need permission from the landlord. If permission is needed from a landlord, be sure to demonstrate that plans are in place to ensure that guidelines, such as the sample "Dogs in the Workplace" policy in the TYDTWDay Toolkit, are in place to ensure a successful, safe event.
Liability Issues. As a matter of law, pet owners are typically legally responsible for any injury or damage caused by their pet(s). However, employers should check with their insurer to ensure that their general liability policy covers the event and specific guidelines should be in place for employees who plan to bring dogs. It is important that aggression of any kind in a participating dog not be tolerated. Dogs showing aggressive behavior should be asked to leave the office right away.
Employees' allergies or phobias. Allergies can be very serious. In most cases, people are not allergic to dog hair, but either to the dander or saliva. Pet owners should make sure the dog has been bathed to remove dander buildup and dogs should not be in the immediate work area of an employee with allergies. For the one day celebration, companies should designate specific, shared areas such as bathroom and break rooms dog free and HR should make accommodations for any employee concerned about being near the dogs (or other pets) due to allergies or phobias.
No Pets Allowed? No Problem!
If, for some reason, your company decides dogs cannot be allowed, you can still celebrate—Get creative!
Many businesses have celebrated the day by:
- hosting pet photo contests,
- organizing fundraisers at the office for a local shelter and
- having a local shelter representative or professional pet sitter talk to employees about pet care, pet health or local adoptable pets.
Please note: PSI's TYDTWDay is a once-a-year fun event to celebrate dogs and promote pet adoption. If you are seeking resources on implementing year-round dogs at work policies, you may want to research additional information and resources.
