Are you wondering how to best bring a pet to work?
When people bring pets to work, they often reap several benefits. First, you won’t have to rush home to take care of your pet. You’ll also have a bundle of joy to help you fight mental health problems at work. You’ll especially benefit if you face a lot of anxiety at work since a pet friendly workplace can lower anxiety symptoms.
But to get the most out of bringing your pet to work, you need to take a few steps. Below, we’ll get into the steps you need to take to make sure you can take your furry friend without facing any type of trouble. Keep reading to learn more!
Ask Your Boss First
Before you show up to work with your pet, ask your boss if you can bring them into the office.
Workplaces have different policies regarding allowing people to bring pets. Some employers think pets will get in the way of an efficient office. As such, they might not respond well to someone bringing in a pet.
To increase your chances of getting permission, tell your manager a little bit about your pet. Emphasize that they’re well-behaved and well-trained. Promise you will look after them the entire time and not allow them to bother your fellow employees.
If they seem unsure, ask them if you can take them in for a trial day. Tell them if they don’t like the pet in the office, they’ll just need to tell you, and you’ll take them home.
It’s important that you respect your boss’s decision in this regard. If you don’t, it could end up causing unnecessary problems in the workplace.
What If the Dog Is a Service Animal?
An employer might have to allow you to bring your pet to work if the pet is a service animal. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers must make reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities.
A service animal is trained to help a worker in two ways. First, they might be trained to pick things up or guide people with physical disabilities. Second, some service animals have received training to alert the owner when they are about to go through a medical condition episode. The animal will also have the training to alert others if its owner is unconscious or in need of help.
If you have this type of pet, your owner might legally have to let you take your pet to work.
Learn more about getting a service pet at American Service Pets!
Plan for Your Pet’s Day at Work
Once you get permission, you should plan for your pet’s day at work. Figure out whether you need to create an area for your pet in your office. This will make it easier for you to monitor where your pet is throughout the day. It will also encourage them to stay with you.
If your pet requires any special care, bring the necessary items. For instance, a puppy may require puppy pads, and a cat should have a portable litter box. Bring a leash in case your animal needs to go outside. You might also want to bring a toy or bone to keep it occupied.
Bring an enclosure for your pet if you have a meeting that day or must step out of your office. That way, you won’t have to ask your coworkers to babysit them.
Be Respectful of Your Coworkers
When you bring your pet to work, you might notice a lot of coworkers flocking around your desk. Often, people love having animals at work. So, you should prepare to have more visits from your colleagues than normal.
But, not every person enjoys pets in the same way. In fact, some people may feel like the pet is a distraction from the work they need to get done. So, you shouldn’t let your pet wander around the office or interrupt your coworkers. You also might want to let people come and meet your pet rather than walking around and introducing them.
In addition, you should be mindful of any potential pet allergies. If someone around you is allergic to dogs, don’t let your puppy take up residence right next to them. You might also want to make sure that they’re comfortable with you having an animal in the office.
You can also look for ways to compromise if you need to! Your pet could stay in a specific area of the office, or you only bring them in for part of the day.
Be Mindful of Your Pet’s Personality
Now that you’ve considered the needs of your coworkers, think about your pet’s personal preferences. If they like meeting new people, they might thrive in your office’s atmosphere.
Yet, a pet that gets nervous around new people and places might not fare as well. Nervous pets sometimes hide, pee, or act in ways they usually wouldn’t. This wouldn’t just serve as an interruption to your workday; it would be sad for your pet as well.
So, you should take your pet out to meet others several times before they come to your office. Note how they act with people they don’t know. If they act too upset or disruptive, it might be best to leave them at home or find other care options.
Train Your Pet
If your pet hasn’t been trained yet, it might not be best to introduce them to your workplace yet. Otherwise, you might end up talking to your boss about your pet’s behavior.
Many people take their animals to behavior classes. There, professionals teach them to obey certain commands. You should also participate in teaching them certain commands so that your pet learns to listen to you.
In particular, you’ll want to teach your pet to not jump on people or bark at them. If you don’t want to carry puppy pads or litter boxes, you should also potty train them before they go to your office.
Ready to Bring a Pet to Work?
Now that you’ve read this guide, you’re ready to start figuring out if you can bring a pet to work.
If you have a service animal and want to get proof that you need them at work, contact your doctor for a letter. Your employer might be more willing to grant you permission to bring your pet to work if they can verify it’s a necessary accommodation.
Want more great articles like this? Check out the rest of this website today!