Question

Going to the Dogs Let's admit it: With very few exceptions, we all love dogs. We love to be with our dogs, and our dogs love to be with us. So it is only natural, then, to want to keep our dogs with us as much as possible, even when we go to work. Pet Sitters International thinks this is such a good idea that they have instituted "Take Your Dog to Work Day," a once-a-year event designed to raise awareness of the benefits of dog ownership and to encourage pet adoption. But maybe you would like something a bit more regular, like having the option to bring Fido to work every day? According to a 2006 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, it should not be too hard to find an opportunity since nearly one in five companies already allows pets in the workplace. You can even find a list of employers that allow canines at work on DogFriendly.com. Fans of the dogs-at-the-office policy say it increases employee morale and decreases stress. Before we go too far with this idea, however, perhaps we should take note of some arguments against bringing dogs to work. First, some HR experts like Ethan Winning have cautioned that dogs can be messy, placing an unfair burden on employers to clean up afterwards. Dogs can also be a distraction, and other employees may be allergic or otherwise disturbed by them. And what happens when two or more employees bring their dogs to work on the same day, and Fido and Fifi don't want to play nice? distraction, and other employees may be allergic or otherwise disturbed by them. And what happens when two or more employees bring their dogs to work on the same day, and Fido and Fifi don't want to play nice? Of course, some people actually need to bring their dogs to work, which is why the Americans with Disabilities Act permits the use of "service animals" to assist those with disabilities. For example, seeing-eye dogs are allowed to accompany blind individuals at work. The EEOC guideline is reasonable since guide dogs are necessary to blind individuals, and furthermore, guide dogs are trained not to be a nuisance. It can be challenging, however, for employers to know where to draw the line. Take the case of Elizabeth Booth, a quadriplegic hired by Case Services Corporation as an accountant in the billing department. Booth, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, has trained her small, well-behaved dog to pick up small items that Booth has dropped. Along with a formal request to be allowed to bring her dog to work to assist her, Booth submitted to her employer a letter from her doctor stating that the dog would also help relieve Booth's stress. When Case Services's HR director denied the request, Booth immediately filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC, claiming the company did not provide a reasonable accommodation to her disability or her health needs. When it comes to establishing a pet policy, as is so often the case, balancing the employer's needs and responsibilities with the employees' needs and wants presents something of a dilemma.

What is your position on this issue? Provide two or three reasons to support your arguments

Answer 1

The decision on allowing dogs in the workplace involves balancing the positive impacts on morale and the necessity for service animals against concerns like allergies, cleanliness, and distractions. A well-considered pet policy should align with the company's culture, the type of work done, and the health and safety of all employees.

Step-by-step explanation:

The debate over whether dogs should be allowed in the workplace is influenced by various factors, including cultural norms, the needs of employees with disabilities, and the general welfare of both the animals and the workplace environment. On one hand, dogs have been shown to have a positive impact on employee morale and can provide necessary assistance as service animals for individuals with disabilities, offering both practical support and relief from stress. However, there are legitimate concerns regarding allergies, cleanliness, and potential distractions that dogs might cause. Moreover, not all dogs may be suitable for the workplace environment, especially if they have not been trained to handle such a setting.

An effective workplace pet policy must strike a balance between the benefits of having dogs in the office and the potential drawbacks. Reasonable accommodations, as required by law for service animals, should be made for employees with disabilities while considering the health, safety, and well-being of all employees. Ultimately, any decision to allow dogs in the workplace should take into account the specific culture of the organization, the nature of the work being performed, and the individual needs of all staff.