A Droitwich Spa company has found unique benefits in allowing staff to bring their dogs to work.
Fish4Dogs, a business producing fish-based food and treats for more than 15 years, has long welcomed dogs into its workplace – benefiting not only its four-legged visitors, but its human staff too.
Demand for pet-friendly workplaces is growing. More than half of workers say they would consider changing jobs if it meant they could bring their pet to work, while 41 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds are actively looking for pet-friendly policies when job hunting.
However, according to The Kennel Club, fewer than a third of dog owners have the option of taking their pets to work.
That isn’t the case at Fish4Dogs, where man’s best friend has become a familiar sight in the office.
Chego, the Golden Doodle, enjoys his chew toy in the Fish4Dogs office (Image: Fish4Dogs)
Sarah Fowler, CEO of Fish4Dogs, said: “We’ve noticed that for many people, the dogs bring a welcome relief during the working day.
“At the very least, they are a reason for people to get out from behind their desks and into the fresh air with the dogs for the necessary ‘comfort breaks’.
“We also find that the dogs create a social opportunity – staff members from different teams walk together, so the dogs break down boundaries between teams effortlessly.”
The company’s dog-friendly policy began with two dogs belonging to the finance director and has since expanded to allow up to 11 dogs on the premises at any one time.
The dogs are expected to be toilet-trained and well behaved so they can comfortably coexist with their human colleagues.
Each dog has its own space beside or under its owner’s desk, giving it a familiar place to retreat to when the office gets busy.
Regular exercise and breaks are also encouraged, allowing the dogs to burn off energy and interact with their fellow canine colleagues.
Fish4Dogs has put its dog-friendly policy in writing so everyone is clear about expectations and responsibilities.
The guidelines help avoid potential disagreements and cover basic principles, including the requirement for dogs to be house-trained.
Certain areas, including kitchens and toilets, are out of bounds to dogs, while dog-free zones are available for employees and visitors who would prefer not to interact with them.
Fish4Dogs also recognises that an office environment isn’t suitable for every dog. Highly reactive dogs, for example, may struggle in a busy workplace.
But the company’s experience shows that a dog-friendly policy can offer significant benefits when managed properly.
With an estimated 13 million dogs in the UK and 31 per cent of households owning at least one, leaving a pet at home all day isn’t straightforward for many full-time workers.
As a result, demand for pet-friendly workplaces is expected to continue growing.
