Pets Go to Work: How to Create a Pet Policy for Your Office

What should you include in an office pet policy?

According to digital marketing and brand strategy pro David Everett Strickler, business owners should include employees in the pet policymaking process. Gathering everyone’s input can help create an environment that works for the entire team. 

Here are five essential points to include in your office pet policy. 

1. Your pet policy should state that pets must be vaccinated.

Vaccinations protect pets from potentially life-threatening diseases and infections — some of which could even be transmitted to humans. For the safety of your pets and employees, you should require proof of vaccination before allowing any animal in the office.

“A current (renewed annually) veterinary record proving wellness, heartworm prevention, parasite control, and vaccine compliance must be provided to HR prior to visitation,” said Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of Pet Sitters International. 

A comprehensive vaccination policy will reduce dangers, worries, and liabilities.

2. Your pet policy should state that pets must be trained and well behaved.

Workplace safety must remain your priority. Some tips related to pet behavior include: 

• Ensure only well-trained pets are allowed. Office pets should have no history of aggression and be potty-trained, controllable, and socialized with people and other animals, Stultz-Hairston said. “This should not be a three-strikes situation,” said Kim Stiens, founder and CEO of Ranavain. “Even one incident of a pet behaving badly can have huge implications in a workplace. If a dog bites anyone for any reason, they should be out. If a cat destroys someone’s property, that’s it. You don’t need to be zero-tolerance … but you do have a primary responsibility to provide a safe workplace, and you can’t allow pets to compromise that.”
• Consider requiring pet insurance. Consider making all pet owners get insurance coverage to account for any injuries caused by an animal. You may even want to have employees who bring their pets to work sign an indemnification agreement that spells out the requirement for an employee to pay the cost of defending any lawsuits resulting from their animal.
• Include a trial period to test pet behavior. Consider enforcing a trial period for all new pets in the office. Start with having the pet come to the office a few hours a week and gradually increase the time spent. You can minimize workplace incidents and allow employees who are not fully comfortable with pets in the office to form healthier relationships with each other.

Make sure you are prepared for and understand how to handle a business lawsuit if one arises. 

3. Include designated pet-free zones in your pet policy.

There’s a time and place for everything, including pets. If you’re going to allow them in your office, you must create a strict space for them and a separate space for workers who aren’t as fond of the idea. That way, no one feels forced into the situation.

“Pets, like humans, in the workplace should have defined areas,” Strickler said. “If the owner is responsible for the pet, the pet should be confined to that specific employee’s workstation or office. If the pet will be in an open work area (think collaborative spaces, hot desking, etc.), then you might want to consider a touchdown spot.”

Some people have severe allergies to animals. An allergy may even qualify as a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act and require business accommodations. In those situations, accommodating your employees’ needs is paramount. 

4. Your pet policy should mandate sanitary office practices.

A clean and organized office is a necessity. No one wants to work in a dirty office. Germs, bugs, and bathroom messes pose health hazards for your workers, clients, and anyone who visits the office.

Delegate cleanup and maintenance responsibilities to pet owners. They should promptly handle bathroom duty, vacuuming, sanitizing desks, and cleaning up accidents.

Ada Chen Rekhi, co-founder of Notejoy, recommended designating an area for pets to do their business. If you have an office cat, for instance, litter boxes should be in only one part of the office, away from workspaces.

5. Your pet policy should outline an anonymous complaint process.

Some employees may not be on the same page with your office pet arrangement, but they may be reluctant to speak up and risk judgment from their co-workers. Rekhi advises employers to make it easy for workers to report their concerns to HR. Also, consider allowing anonymous employee feedback to preserve their privacy.

“Keep in mind that some employees may have allergies or phobias to pets that can make your workplace unfriendly if you don’t establish a great pet policy,” Rekhi said.

Why should you consider a pet policy?

Employers and team members can potentially enjoy numerous benefits by welcoming pets to the workplace. 

• Pets create a healthy work-life balance. Employees may work long hours, but pets remind them to take necessary short breaks. Working for too long on a project creates stress and lowers productivity. Short walks, a little playtime, and temporary distractions support employee mental health and reduce stress levels. Pets can act as comic relief and keep employee spirits high.
• Pets in the workplace nurture productivity. Happier and less stressed employees are more motivated and flexible, and they can achieve more in the workplace. Pets help foster an environment that lowers workplace absenteeism and reduces stress-related ailments, ultimately saving the organization money. Pets also create camaraderie within the workplace, enhancing teamwork.
• Pets in the workplace boost customer perceptions. Pets in the office can strengthen your business’s reputation with clients. Customers likely will react positively when they interact with office pets. Clients can relax and enjoy their visit while viewing your company as forward-thinking and progressive.
• Pets in the office can lower employee turnover. Business growth requires retaining excellent employees. Motivated and happy employees are less likely to leave an organization. Employees in pet-friendly organizations are likely appreciative of the perk and are less likely to leave. Pet-friendly policies can also help you attract new talent. More than 72 percent of pet owners view bringing their pets to their workplace as an important benefit, according to an online CESAR survey.

Pets at work can improve your workplace culture 

Attracting and retaining top talent is always a priority for businesses. Not every company can afford high-tier salaries, but they can consider creative perks that improve their employees’ lives. 

Allowing pets in the office isn’t the only way to support your pet-owning employees. Additional perks may include paid time off for pet bereavement or adoption, pet-based insurance stipends, and additional in-office amenities such as treats, gates, and dog beds.

If you decide to become a pet-friendly workplace, consider everyone’s needs, set clear expectations, and enjoy the benefits it brings to your employee-centric company culture. 

Kimberlee Leonard ​​contributed to the reporting and writing in this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.