Half of all American households have at least one dog or cat - pets they treat as family members. A pet-friendly policy is a logical component of a comprehensive program to help employees maintain work-life balance. Allowing pets in the workplace helps reduce stress and anxiety. Employees don't have to worry or feel guilty about leaving their pet home alone. They aren't under pressure to rush home and walk their dog at the end of the day.

The benefits of welcoming pets at work aren't limited to dog owners. Businesses that have a pet-friendly policy say it improves the atmosphere for all employees, especially at companies where people work long hours or sit at a computer all day. With pets on the premises, employees are encouraged to take a break once in while to play with one of the office dogs. It's a stress reliever and morale-booster for everyone.

Pet-friendly policies vary by company, but they usually include several basic components: the needs of people who have allergies or don't want to work near animals should be accommodated; pets must be kept on leash or under control; pets must housebroken, and employees must clean up after their pet outside.

The San Francisco SPCA recommends that pet policies be based on an animal's behavior, not its size or breed, and that all pets be spayed or neutered.

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Business Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Policy

A survey of businesses that allow pets in the workplace, conducted in 2000 by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, confirmed the benefits of a pet-friendly policy:

• 73 percent of the companies surveyed said pets create a more productive work environment.
  
  
• 27 percent showed a decrease in employee absenteeism.
  
  
• 73 percent indicated pets led to a more creative work environment.
  
  
• 73 percent said interpersonal skills improved, compared to a 42 percent improvement through business development or management training courses.
  
  
• 96 percent said pets created positive work relations.
  
  
• 58 percent of employees stayed late with pets in the office.
  
  
• 100 percent of the companies surveyed said they would continue to have pets in the workplace.

In addition:

• Staff morale increased by bringing pets to work.
• There was increased camaraderie among employees.
• Happier employees enhance job performance.
• Storeowners who take their dogs to work have reported increases in sales.

Sources: American Pet Products Manufacturers Assoc.; Pet Sitters International for Take Your Dog to Work Day 2001

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Office Petiquette

Pet-friendly workplace policies vary, but they usually include several basic components: the needs of people who have allergies or don't want to work near animals should be accommodated; pets must be kept on leash or under control; pets must be housebroken; and employees must clean up after their pet outside.

The San Francisco SPCA recommends that workplace pet policies be based on an animal's behavior, not its size or breed and that all pets be spayed or neutered.

Employees who want to bring their dog to work should observe some basic rules of "petiquette":

• Teach your dog basic commands, such as "sit" and "stay".
  
  
• Make sure your dog is socialized to people and other dogs before he goes to work.
  
  
• Make sure your personal workspace can comfortably accommodate your dog.
  
  
• Bring a supply of chew toys to keep your dog from getting bored or disruptive.
  
  
• Avoid squeaky toys and collars that jangle.
  
  
• Keep your dog away from people with allergies.
  
  
• Keep your dog clean and well-groomed.
  
  
• Walk your dog in a designated area several times a day, and clean up afterward.
  
  
• Consider your dog's temperament. If he's extremely shy, the workplace can be overwhelming. If he's not confident around strangers or has a history of aggressive behavior, leave him at home and get help from a professional trainer or behaviorist. For referrals to a professional in your area, call the San Francisco SPCA Behavior Help Line, 415-554-3075.

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Pets Are Good for People

Research has shown that people actually derive health benefits from pets. Companion animals help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and mitigate depression.

• Pet ownership significantly reduces stress-related increases in blood pressure, even in a group of individuals with highly demanding jobs.
  
  
• A study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than those who did not own a pet.
  
  
• Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is less on pet owners than on those who do not own a pet.
  
  
• Research indicates that because pets provide people with faithful companionship, they may also provide their owners with a measure of psychological stability and, thus, a measure of protection from heart disease.
  
  
• People with pets make fewer visits to a doctor, especially for non-serious medical conditions.
  
  
• Pets help people fight depression and loneliness.
  
  
• The presence of companion animals, particularly dogs and cats, has a beneficial impact on caregivers of cancer patients.
  
  
• Women living alone without a pet are significantly lonelier than women with companion animals.
  
  
• Children are better able to adjust to the illness or death of a parent when a pet, particularly a dog, is in the house.

Sources: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association; MHN (Mental Health Network)

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Pets at Work:

Autodesk
San Rafael
Business: Software
Employees at pet-friendly site: 1,100
Contact: Kay Crotty, Facilities Manager, 415-507-6602

Autodesk Dog Policy

The ability to bring a dog to Autodesk is a unique part of our culture. Dog owners are expected to recognize that not all employees or visitors like having dogs in the office or in some cases physically can not be in close proximity to certain animals (e.g allergies). For these reasons, the following policies are expected to be followed by dog owners*:

• Dogs are to be kept on a leash while inside Autodesk facilities.
  
  
• Dogs should stay with their owner or designated watcher at all times and should be in the employee's office when the employee is there.
  
  
• Dogs with fleas are not to be brought to the office.
  
  
• Dogs are not allowed in bathrooms or Cafe and kiosks serving and seating areas.
  
  
• Dogs are not to be brought into meetings.
  
  
• Employees are responsible for clearing up after their dogs should the dog have an accident inside our facilities.
  
  
• Employees are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs outside the buildings. All receptionists have "doggy bags" for this purpose.
  
  
• If a dog has three accidents inside our buildings, the dog will need to stay home at least until the owner can show that the dog has been through some kind of training program.
  
  
• Any incident of aggressive behavior by a dog is unacceptable and the dog may not be brought back to work. Loud, repetitive barking or eating another employee's food is also not acceptable.
  
  
• Employees with allergies to animals may ask a dog owner not to bring a dog to the office if that dog makes it difficult for the allergic employee to work.
  
  
• Repeated violation of these policies will mean that the dog will not be allowed at work.

(* Where relevant, these policies also apply to other pets which employees may on occasion bring to work.)

The gist of these rules is to recognize that we are a software company first and foremost. We want to be able to have pets at Autodesk. With some common sense and respect for other employees and our facilities, this unique part of Autodesk will continue.

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Publicis & Hal Riney
San Francisco
Business: Advertising
Employees at pet-friendly site: 300
Contact: Louisa Kleier, Vice President and Facilities Manager, 415-293-2321

Publicis & Hal Riney Pet Policy

• If your dog uses the floor for a bathroom, you will be charged $35, which will be used to clean the area. By bringing your dog to work in the future, you agree to this term.
  
  
• If your dog uses the floor for a bathroom a second time, you will be charged $35 and you will be asked to take the dog home.
  
  
• Keep your dog in your area and in your control and leashed at all times.
  
  
• If anyone in your area does not want to have your dog around them because they have allergies or just hate dogs, you'll be asked to leave your dog at home.

Louisa Kleier, vice president and facilities manager at Publicis & Hal Riney, says allowing pets at the office is a big plus for dog owners who work long hours. It also relieves stress and boosts morale. "Dogs make people happy," she says.

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San Francisco SPCA
San Francisco
Business: Animal welfare
Employees at pet-friendly site: 175
Contact: Francy Blackwood, Public Information Specialist, 415-901-6652

Pets At Work Policy
(Revised January 2002)

Please do not bring a pet to work unless you specifically receive permission from your Department Director. Such permission will be granted only if you abide by the following conditions:

• You must be able to keep your pet under control at all times.
  
  
• The number of pets each employee is allowed to bring to work is limited to two.
  
  
• Your pets must be spayed and neutered and current on all vaccinations unless a veterinarian certifies that it is inadvisable for reasons particular to that animal’s health.
  
  
• Under no circumstances may your pet be left unattended in any public area of the building. All pets must be leashed or in carriers when moving about, inside or outside of the SF/SPCA.
  
  
• Your pet’s presence must not interfere with the work of your department or cause problems for co-workers, visitors to the Society, or any of the animals that live at the Society.
  
  
• You are held personally responsible for immediately cleaning up after your pet. You are required to have cleaning supplies on hand in your department.
  
  
• Food and water must be removed from work areas at the end of your day.
  
  
• All pets are to be exercised during breaks or at lunchtime.
  
  
• You will be held responsible for any damage to Society property that your pet might cause.
  
  
• For the safety of pets and people, please post a sign on your office door indicating that you have a pet in your office.
  
  
• If there’s an issue with a fellow employee’s pet, bring it to the attention of your Department Director. It is the responsibility of Department Directors to resolve any interdepartmental issues.

Bringing pets to work is a privilege and should be treated as such. If there is any violation to this policy or complaints made, disciplinary action will be taken and these privileges will be revoked.

Other pet-friendly benefits at The SF/SPCA:

Employees are eligible to bring their pet to the SF/SPCA Animal Hospital, where they get a 50 percent discount on veterinary services and a 20 percent discount on non-prescription supplies and elective services.

Regular, full-time employees are allowed to use one day of sick leave as bereavement leave when a companion animal that resides with them dies.