Everybody loves having a pet, whether it be a dog, cat or any other kind of animal. Coming home to a loving, bouncing animal that just wants to play with you isn’t too bad a feeling. In fact, according to a number of studies, including on done by the University of British Columbia, dog therapy or an increased interaction with dogs, has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. 

That's why some offices have begun to integrate dogs and other pets into their work spaces. Normally, the only pet that was allowed into the office were service animals. However, the idea of allowing dogs into the office has become increasingly popular. Not only can it allow employees to feel more relaxed, it has the potential to increase productivity. However, with every pro there is a con, and when considering the institution of an office pet, there is more than just one con.

The first and biggest consideration is liability. Pets are a lot of work, even the well-behaved ones. In the case of personal injury due to an office pet, the employer could be held responsible for damages. There is also the issue of property damage. If an office pet has caused damaged to the property, either the employer or owner of the pet could be held responsible. 

Seeing as most offices contain a larger number of employees, allergies are something to consider. Depending on the number of employees and layout of the office, more than one employee could be effected by the presence of an animal. There are ways around this, but a thorough knowledge of employee allergies before integrating a pet would be the only way to ensure the health of the employee.

Lastly, landlord approval is something that should be considered first and foremost. Many landlords prefer a pet-free office, so if an employer is seriously considering adding a pet to the office, they should be checking that it is okay with the landlord first. 

Obviously, there are many things to consider when it comes to integrating a pet into the office. Like any big decision, there are pros and cons. Ultimately it is up to the employer as to whether an office pet would be suitable, but I say why not? Who else are we going to blame for the stains on the carpet?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @yipcambridge!