Establishments are continuously aware of the significance of employees’ well-being, satisfaction, commitment, and retention (Barker, 2005). A growing trend has shown that emotional intelligence, trust, and perceived organizational support can have positive impacts on employee performance, retention, as well as the general health of workers in organizations (Jain and Sinha, 2005). Reports have shown a link between the positive anecdotal reactions by employees and customers, with the concept of allowing pets in the workplace (Barker et al., 2012). These reactions concur with human-animal collaboration research supporting the role of pets as a form of non-evaluative social support that extends to the work environment. This is to enhance interpersonal interactions, positively affect employee morale and productivity, and decrease stress reactions. It has further reduced aversive physical, psychological, and behavioral reactions among employees (Jain et al., 2009).
In the past, pet owners found it stressful to leave their pets at home or with caretakers for too long (Rhatigan, 2016). Nowadays, the workforce comprising mostly millennials, are verbal about their expectations from their employers, and many desire their pets to come along with them to the workplace (Schiavo, 2019). On the verge of companies helping employees focus on maintaining a healthier sense of work-life balance, pet-friendly policies were created (Rhatigan, 2016). These policies aren’t only beneficial to pet owners, but also have a positive impact on the entire work environment (Carlisle et al., 2013). Furthermore, studies have shown that establishments that allowed pets into the workplace saw an increase in coworker trust and collaboration (Shute, 2012).
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Managers who permitted pets at work have indicated that there are numerous benefits that can be derived from taking such an approach (Morris, 2019). It reduces the stress levels of workers (Barker et al., 2012), and contributes to the worker’s wellness, productivity, and efficiency (Schiavo, 2019). Rovner’s (2012) studies reported that petting one's dog lowers the owner's blood pressure. Other studies showed that interacting with animals lowers stress hormones, and increases people's levels of oxytocin, prolactin, and norepinephrine, hormones related to joy, nurturing, and relaxation (Carlisle et al., 2013). It's a neurotransmitter that's said to increase confidence levels and reduce fear (Rovner, 2012). Using cortisol as a measure of physiological stress, researchers found a significant reduction in salivary cortisol in healthcare facilities after a few minutes of interaction with an unfamiliar therapy dog (Barker et al., 2005).
In exploring the response patterns of multiple indicators of physiological stress in dog owners interacting with their dogs or an unfamiliar therapy dog following a stress task (Barker et al., 2010), results showed similar patterns consistent with stress following the mental stress task and relaxation during and following the dog interaction. Of particular interest was the similarity in relaxation patterns seen whether adults interacted with their own or an unfamiliar therapy dog. Animal companionship can have a dramatically positive result on someone’s stress levels and mental health, according to Mental Health America. So having a pet-friendly workplace can be an important factor in the employees’ overall well-being (Schiavo, 2019).
From a Human Resource (HR) standpoint, one of the greatest significance of permitting pets in the work environment is associated with retention. A study showed that up to 83 percent of employees felt a greater sense of loyalty to corporations that implement pet-friendly policies (Banfield, 2016). In providing perks that will be appealing to workers and retain key talent, HR managers are coming to realize that offering pet-friendly benefits in the form of pet insurance, pets being at work with owners, or animal-related volunteer excursions—can be an effective instrument for improving recruitment, morale and even overall wellbeing (Roepe, 2017). Dogs and cats can also create a friendly and calm atmosphere that brings colleagues closer and allows opportunities for social interaction among units in the organization (Roepe, 2017).
There are diverse benefits to having pets in the workplace, from promoting a work/life balance to reducing stress and creating a social interaction environment, boosting morale and building trust, to of course increasing productivity,” (Schiavo, 2019). The benefits don’t just stop at current staff either but to prospective staff. To attract and retain the best young talent a pet-friendly policy could also work in favor of HR personnel.
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