Ahead of this year’s Bring Your Dog to Work Day on Friday 21st June, research reveals how dogs can benefit employee productivity and wellbeing.
Workthere conducted research to determine UK office workers attitudes towards having a canine companion at their place of work and found that almost half (43 per cent) think having a dog in the office would be beneficial to their productivity. What’s more, a third (34 per cent) believe a workplace pooch would make them happier, and a quarter (25 per cent) think it would improve their work/life balance.
Delving further into the research findings, the research also found that it is, in fact, the younger population that are most in favour of having dogs at work, with nearly half (43 per cent) of 18-24-year old’s admitting they would be more likely to apply for a job that allowed dogs in the office.
Alternatively, while the survey found that two in five (41 per cent) of 45-54-year olds currently own a dog, the highest of any other age range, a vast majority (80 per cent) have never worked somewhere that allows them to bring their dog to work.
When it comes to the gender divide, it seems dogs aren’t a man’s best friend – they’re a woman’s! The research found that a third (3 2per cent) of women would be more attracted to a workplace that allowed dogs, compared to just a quarter (24 per cent) of men.
Commenting on the research findings, Cal Lee, head of Workthere, says,
Whilst having a dog in the office may not be for everyone, and you must understand the needs and consensus of your employees, it is clear that a canine colleague can boost overall productivity, mood and happiness, while reducing stress. It could therefore be a great consideration for employers to bear in mind looking forward, and what better time to start doing this than this year’s Bring Your Dog to Work Day?
*Research conducted by Workthere
Interested in wellbeing in the workplace We recommend the Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Forum 2019.
