Can I bring my pet to work?
News
Can I bring my pet to work?
February 8, 2023
The “pet-friendly workplace” concept from the United States is gaining traction in France. There are benefits to be gained from welcoming employees’ pets in the workplace, as long as some common-sense rules are applied.
Are employees allowed to bring an animal to work?
In France, employers can choose whether or not to authorize employees to bring their pet to work. However, a company’s internal rules may prohibit the practice, and in some work environments, animals are forbidden due to risks to health or safety. This is the case for public buildings, healthcare facilities and businesses dealing with food.
Before a company can accept pets at work, it must obtain the consent of the employee representative body – the Social and Economic Committee (SEC) – and check that having animals does not contravene the terms and conditions of the building’s insurance policy.
Note that 13% (1) of pet owners in companies with fewer than 10 employees already bring their four-legged companion to work. And more than 40% (2) of French people think that companies should accept pets at work.
What kind of pet is acceptable in an office?
In theory, any kind of house pet is compatible with office life. In practice, most companies only accept cats and dogs (other than attack dogs and guard dogs).
One can easily imagine extending the practice to other small-sized animals. Fish are one example, although they are not easy to transport. Small rodents like rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs could also adapt to life in an office if they are kept in a cage (otherwise, electrical cables are a risk), although sometimes strong odors may be a problem!
As for birds such as parrots or parakeets, they should probably be avoided, since they tend to be noisy.
Of course, large animals like a pig or a horse would not be an option! Nor would reptiles (snakes and lizards) or spiders be welcome, since a fear of these types of animal is quite common.
How can pets and coworkers live in harmony?
Companies should first check that employees consent to their coworker bringing a pet to the office, especially if they work in an open space. It is important to ensure that none are allergic to dogs or cats, for example, or have a fear of them.
Employers should also require any employee who brings their pet to work to sign a charter in which they undertake to:
- have their pet vaccinated and be prepared to show evidence of vaccination,
- have their pet treated for parasites such as fleas,
- reimburse any damage caused by their pet,
- maintain liability insurance against bites, scratches, falls or other injuries caused by the pet in the workplace,
- provide the pet with all necessary food and supplies (bowls, a cushion, a rug, a scratch board, etc.),
- take their dog outdoors at least once during the day (during their break or at lunchtime) or, if their pet is a cat, clean the litter box frequently.
If it is not possible to welcome pets in the workplace, employers can guide employees, for example, by referring them to private companies offering pet services while they are at work. Employers can also facilitate remote working.
What are the benefits for employers of having a pet-friendly workplace?
More than one in two people in France (3) own a dog or a cat. Close to one-fourth of those who do not have one nevertheless plan to adopt a dog or cat in the next three years. This intense love for pets is a fast-growing trend and largely a consequence of the pandemic. The presence of a pet was an important buffer against loneliness during lockdown and helped to ease the anxiety of pet owners.
Several studies show that the purring of a cat has a soothing effect (some even call it a healing power). Dogs, with their affectionate good humor, tend to bring comfort and boost morale. All this reduces stress and can indirectly improve wellbeing and productivity in the workplace.
As many as 73% of those surveyed by Odoxa consider that the pandemic had a beneficial effect overall on the relationships between humans and their pets. The return to the workplace was problematic for 67% of dog and cat owners, who had no pet care solution. They had also become used to the continued presence of their pet during lockdown. With this data in mind, companies can hardly overlook an issue that affects so many people.
