A Pet-Friendly Office Isn't Everyone's Dream

Pet-friendly workplaces improve career satisfaction but can pose challenges for those with allergies or a fear of animals

- Reem Khokhar

Fatema Dahodwala, 30, did not grow up around pets, an unfamiliarity which made her nervous around animals. This changed gradually after 2018 when she started work at a pet-friendly communications and marketing office in Mumbai. "Cats and dogs are welcome every day. I was initially fearful, but I've grown surprisingly comfortable over time," says the accounts lead. At first, she kept her distance from Bella, a colleague's pet dog who came to the office regularly. "Slowly, we found a rhythm. Bella and I now share a mutual understanding." Being around Bella and the other office pets helped Dahodwala replace her fear with comfort. She credits this change to her pet-parent colleagues. From slowly introducing new pets to coworkers to keeping their companions away from meeting rooms and key discussions, her pet-parent colleagues strive to keep everyone comfortable in the office. "Their efforts go a long way in creating trust among all of us."

Research shows that extending workplace inclusivity to our four-legged companions can have several benefits such as reducing stress, improving work-life quality, providing comfort, and enhancing the work environment. A study published in November 2023 in Harvard Business Review demonstrates that the presence of animals in various settings, like offices and hospitals, improves employee commitment, career satisfaction and reduces turnover intentions. Google, InMobi, Mars Petcare and Urban Company are some organisations in India with pet-inclusive workplaces.

NOT FOR EVERYONE