By Angela Tufvesson -
A growing number of firms are allowing dogs in the office, promoting a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.
When Melbourne firm LUNA, which provides legal, accounting and strategy services to start-ups, moved offices, it welcomed some new team members. Four-legged team members, that is.
“We were in a shared office space and when we took over our own space people just started bringing their dogs in,” says founder and CEO Ronen Heine. “Now it’s almost like they’re part of the furniture.”
Heine brings his dog, a golden retriever called Panther, to the office most days. He “sits near the front door and just chills out all day”, and there’s usually another one or two pooches snoozing under desks or seeking out pats.
Bringing dogs to work is increasingly common in corporate offices in Australia and around the world – with good reason. Evidence shows the company of four-legged companions can help to reduce stress, improve workplace dynamics and boost productivity. And, even better, you don’t need to implement a complex OH&S policy to make it happen.
Four-legged co-workers
A greater focus on promoting mentally healthy workplaces, a relaxation of strict corporate ways of working and a surge in pet adoptions during the pandemic are just some of the reasons behind the increase in four-legged co-workers.
