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A Perk of the Job?

Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR

Every time I run into this topic, whether I’m managing or consulting, it’s a tough one…the “right” or ability for employees to bring their pets to work with them. There are so many battle grounds, and such high emotions surrounding this topic, that it often becomes a no-win situation. Therefore, it must be a business decision, and truthfully, that is what it should be.

This is typically what has happened in my experience. You work at a veterinary practice, you obviously have pets of your own, and you want to bring those beloved pets to work with you so you can have their companionship. Certainly, there are often other factors: You work a very long shift, and no one is at home to let out the dog(s); you have a pet who has special medical needs during your shift, because we know how easily it is for us to adopt those with special needs; we have pets that have emotional needs, typically separation anxiety, that prohibits us from leaving them alone all day or night. There are myriad reasons why people may want their pets at work, and it may be as simple as that, they want their pets with them at work.

But then everyone on the team begins to bring their pets, and often each person has multiple pets. The cage space becomes limited, the runs are always filled, there are pets under desks and underfoot, and the practice is finally backed into a corner of making a policy that addresses these pets at work. This is no fun for anybody.

The reason a policy becomes necessary is usually because that cage and kennel space needs to be kept for paying customers, basically, and the patient load is increasing (which is a good thing!) Perhaps there are other issues, such as loose pets posing a tripping hazard, messes left behind, barking and noise problems, time “on the clock” spent by the employees taking care of their own pets, the necessity perhaps for other staff to be involved in helping to administer medication or care that is needed…those are typically the biggest issues.

Mostly, though, it comes down to feelings. We are in this profession because we love pets, especially our pets, and we want to have a life with those pets. But, as I know you’ve likely heard before, if you worked in any other type of job you wouldn’t even ask to bring your pet(s) to work every day. Conversely, if we worked in any other type of job, we may not feel that we want or need our pets with us every day! It’s a losing battle, no matter how you look at it. It’s a policy that must be made, but it won’t be popular. So here’s the best thing to do…

Make a policy that is quite specific, and followed consistently. If there are adequate reasons why you would let an employee pet be at work, spell it out…if not actually written in the policy, at least have it “unwritten” between members of management so everyone is following the same rules. This is particularly necessary if you’re leaving the policy a bit open-ended, with each case subjected to “management approval.” Address the hard feelings by explaining the business necessity of the policy. It will be tough, but we need paying customers in cages and we all benefit from a successful practice!

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A Perk of the Job?

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Ms. Dobbs brings up an interesting dilemma. We hear news stories about businesses that allow pets at work, and we hear some of these same stories directly from our clients. Why would we think this practice is so absolutely wonderful (with proven benefits for the workplace environment) but not allow it in our hospitals? Ms. Dobbs brings up the many confounding factors. I will add another: that staff also seem to want their pets underfoot quite often. This is both unsafe for the pets and unsafe for clients and patients. Having a "hospital cat" or "hospital dog" does indeed create an additional bond between the hospital and clients, who view this cat or dog as an ambassador of sorts (and sometimes as the "real owner" in jest). But having an excessive number of employee pets filling cages or running amok can create havoc. Perhaps employees can have pet days as a benefit, as they would have personal days. Three a year. Or each person can rotate through a schedule of one day every other week when they can bring in a pet. Or perhaps having pets at work is more an exception, that is allowed by request on an as-needed basis. Perhaps pet days can be dolled out as a reward for good work. Draconian measures don't have to be the norm, but too much freedom can create a huge and even dangerous imposition in the workplace. -- Bruce Silverman, VMD MBA Bruce, Chicago, IL Posted: 5/8/2011 11:16:30 PM I do bring my pet to work occasionally but do not do it often enough to cause problems. I do have an office that I can close the door and no one even knows he is there. I would consider it a perk of the job. Donna, Big Pine Key, FL Posted: 5/5/2011 12:56:35 PM