The 500-pound dog in the room is the question about whether or not to allow dogs at work.
Full disclosure. I love dogs. And my daughter made it part of her employment contract that her dog could be at work with her and her bosses agreed to it. That said, I know there are at least two sides to this and I’m open to explore it all.
I travel to a lot of companies and I see the whole spectrum.
· No dogs allowed.
· Only the owner’s dog is allowed.
· The office staff is allowed to bring their dog.
To me, all of the above is fair if the policy is discussed and made clear as to what the rules are.
Of the three scenarios above, I only have an issue with just allowing the owner to bring their dog to work. Different sets of rules for the boss and employees is not the way to be and act like you’re on the same team, in my opinion. But in the end, you’re the boss and you get to make the rules. Still, you need to make it known.
Institute solid policies
In favor of the “no dogs at work policy” is avoiding the need to institute policies that must be written and enforced. And if the dogs are out of control, the office can be out of control, too. It can be a distraction if there’s no structure to it. And it can lower the level of professionalism if unchecked.
The sound of dogs howling while you’re trying to book a call can be problematic. There are issues with dogs not playing well with other dogs and humans, so insurance issues and festering anger all come into play. Many people are allergic to dogs so what accommodation will there be for them in the workplace?
This blog had some other good reasons to pause before you install the doggy-door in your office: http://www.inc.com/chas-rampenthal/dogs-in-the-office-is-it-legal.html
Many other companies seek to bypass the whole issue by just banning all pets at work. It’s not too hard to see why they’d like to avoid the issue. For instance, if I don’t have a dog, do I get to bring my cat, my hamster, my canary, my pet snake…you get the picture?
In favor of allowing dogs at work with solid policies that are regularly monitored is recognition that we work long hours. If we’re allowed to bring our dog to work, we don’t have to rush home to attend to them. If they’re vaccinated, house-broken and more, they can be a calming influence on the office during breaks. They can even help promote taking a walk, clearing the mind by getting some quick exercise vs. getting another donut.
Many of the progressive big corporations in America are beginning to allow dogs in the workplace because they see it as a moral boost and actually a productivity boost.
Should you wish to explore more about making your office dog friendly, here’s a great blog to help begin the process: http://thebark.com/content/tips-creating-dog-friendly-workplace
Work lives vs. personal lives
Work lives and our personal lives are becoming intertwined in ways that seemed unfathomable a decade or two ago. We’re so wired into our work these days that there are few among us who aren’t regularly checking emails, texts, fielding phone calls and doing homework assignments long into the night and on weekends.
The 9-to-5 workday was never in the equation for those who chose the contracting business for their trade. That has always been the constant. But nowadays, we are all more demanding and we want it now. That means those we serve also want it now. With this in mind, our lives outside of work with our families and our pets — our extended family — are getting squeezed.
Good food for discussion? I think so.
Positive Changes and a New Way of Thinking
How does that help?...Read what just one client has to say:
“We already have seen some positive changes taking place since the Planning Power! visit. We have a “new way of thinking.” It is already starting to show up in the attitudes of our people. Since Al left we have accomplished the following: Our dress standard is better. Employee files are LOCKED. We have started role playing situations that come up so we know better next time how to handle it. We have started a tool inventory and color coding them for accountability.
Our eyes have been opened to a much better method of running trucks and inventory, and we now know what we are and are not (service providers, not a warehouse with “parts for sale”).Oh yeah we love the idea of digital cameras, especially how Al said to use them “under the house!” Anyway I thought I would share with you how excited we are. Al is giving us a much broader way of thinking! Thanks so much.”
Don & Glenda Moore
Integrity Plumbing
Florence, OR
Go to www.appleseedbusiness.com and get started by getting your free 30 minute call today!
Al Levi has been helping contractors solve problems and turn greater profits while making it possible for them to get their lives and free time back. To discover more, visit www.60SecondContractorSolution.com.
And also check out Al’s latest business adventure as part of Zoom Franchise Company at www.zoomdrain.com/franchise-opportunity.
