During this day we will be able to see many photos on social networks accompanied by the hashtag #TakeYourDogToWorkDay since it is celebrated internationally and there is no corner in the world where you do not like to share special photos with dogs.
In fact, a recent study carried out in eight European countries and commissioned by the food brand Purina in 2017, found that 68% of Europeans would take their pets to work if they could.
In Spain, the study focuses more on young workers, 83% of them would take their pets to work if they were allowed to do so, under the opinion that they could better reconcile stress and create a more relaxed environment.
Many of the so-called millennials (which the study covers among people born between 1982 and 2004) value the possibility of bringing pets to work very positively when choosing their future company. All things being equal, the dogfriendly would undoubtedly win.
The survey shows that about 40% of young people with a dog value this benefit over health insurance. To make matters worse, of the 15 benefits raised in the survey (including having a company car, daycare service or discount vouchers) “taking the dog to work” has been marked as the fifth most important.
The sample also makes it clear that for 50% of millennials the option of taking their dog to work reduces the feeling of guilt for leaving it alone at home, 40% consider that it reduces work stress and another 40% that they get a improvement in work-life balance. In addition, these young people believe that the fact that pets are welcome in a company helps to improve its image, making it a more attractive entity to work in.
The results and influence of a dog in the workspace are tangible and do not need a study. It is more than proven that it increases our well-being, calms us, comforts us and helps us work in better harmony, so we are more productive. Other research, this time scientific, certifies that spending time with a pet can increase oxytocin levels and reduce the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. We already know that these factors, nervousness and anxiety, can affect productivity, so taking the dog to work helps to combat it. On the contrary, those moments of disconnection and furtive caresses to the furry one result in happier workers, whose minds are clearer to perform tasks correctly.
The origin of the percentages
The data has been extracted from a survey carried out independently by IPSOS (requested by the Purina brand) on a sample of 3,221 employees with dogs between 18 and 65 years of age from Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Switzerland and Portugal. The Spanish sample amounts to half a thousand people.
The goals of the study were to improve employers’ understanding and demonstrate to companies the benefits of allowing pets at work. The results are showing that many dog owners want to take their pets to work.
But not everything goes when it comes to taking our best friend to the place of employment. The company and the staff must follow rules of coexistence, health , responsible tenure, education and safety. Whether you are an employee or an entrepreneur, we recommend that you read the list of tips and requirements that we have created so that taking our dog to work is a natural and pleasant event.
