The Benefits and Risks of Allowing Pets in the Workplace

In recent years, workplaces have seen a shift in policies towards greater flexibility and employee well-being. From casual dress codes to flexible scheduling, employers are increasingly focused on creating a comfortable and convenient work environment for their staff. Alongside these changes, another trend has emerged – allowing pets, particularly dogs, to accompany their owners at work. This practice has gained popularity as it boosts employees' emotional well-being and eliminates the need for pet sitters or alternative care arrangements during the workday. However, it's essential to recognize that bringing animals into the workplace comes with its own set of advantages and potential risks.

Safety Concerns for Pets and People

Pets, no matter how well-trained, can be unpredictable in a work environment. They may introduce distractions, causing them to roam the office, which can pose trip hazards. Even typically well-behaved pets might react aggressively if they feel threatened or frightened. In multi-pet workplaces, employees could find themselves caught in the middle of potentially dangerous animal interactions.

It's important to note that not all workplaces are safe for animals. Manufacturing facilities, construction sites, workplaces dealing with hazardous chemicals, or those using heavy machinery may pose severe threats to pets if they are allowed to roam freely.

Furthermore, workplaces such as healthcare facilities, laboratories, or establishments involved in food and beverage preparation may not be suitable for pets due to potential health and safety hazards for patients or customers. In such cases, it might be advisable to restrict pet access to these areas.

Health and Comfort

While many employees may welcome pets in the workplace, it's crucial to consider those who may not share the same enthusiasm. Allergies and asthma are common conditions that can make coexisting with animals uncomfortable or even hazardous to one's health. Symptoms range from mild issues like a runny nose or itchy eyes to more severe reactions like rashes, hives, and difficulty breathing.

Employers should take steps to accommodate employees with allergies or asthma, such as designating pet-free workspaces for affected individuals or ensuring that common areas like restrooms, conference rooms, and cafeterias remain pet-free zones.

It's also essential to recognize that not all employees have the same comfort level with pets. While some may find animals in the workplace soothing, others may experience fear or anxiety. Negative past experiences with animals can resurface, potentially leading to increased workplace stress and reduced productivity.

Service and Support Animals

When formulating a pet policy, it's vital to distinguish between pets and service animals. Even if your company decides to restrict or prohibit pets, you may still have an obligation to accommodate service and support animals, depending on local or state laws and the nature of your workplace.

Service Animals

Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are individually trained dogs (or occasionally miniature horses) that perform specific tasks to assist individuals with disabilities. These tasks can include wheelchair assistance, retrieving items, alerting to sounds, medication reminders, and more. Service animals are essential to individuals with disabilities and cannot be excluded under a "no pets" policy. Exclusion could be considered discrimination and could lead to legal repercussions.

When accommodating both service animals and employees with allergies or asthma, employers must make reasonable efforts to meet the needs of both groups, even though this may require some careful consideration.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals, or comfort animals, are often used in medical treatment for therapy purposes. While these animals may provide emotional support to employees, they are not trained to perform specific tasks and do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

The ADA does not protect the rights of employees regarding the use of emotional support animals. However, many state and local governments have their regulations regarding these animals in the workplace. It's essential to consult legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws when drafting a pet policy.

Asking Questions

Employers must exercise caution when inquiring about service or emotional support animals. If the service provided by the animal is obvious, no questions should be asked, as doing so could be seen as discriminatory. However, if the service is not apparent, and the employee's disability is not readily observable, employers may request documentation to establish the disability's existence and how the animal assists in performing the job. Legal counsel should be consulted before making any inquiries related to service animals or disabilities.

Service and Support Animals

As you develop your company's pet policy, it's essential to consider the various risks involved. Whatever decision you make, you can rely on TPG Insurance Services to provide the guidance and coverage necessary to ensure the safety of your employees and your company.

So, if you're a pet owner or a business owner we hope we gave you a lot to think about before deciding if pets should have a place in your office. TPG wants to help businesses be prepared this new calendar year, so if you liked what you read and are interested in learning more about Risk Management, call one of our specialists today at 909.466.7876!

Also, learn about different types of risks involved in your field of work, and get the full breakdown for topics like Forklift Safety or Hand Tool Safety! Just visit our blogs/resources page.