Pets do wonders for the workforce
By Caroline Marcus | smh.com.au | 15 February
Could seeing Rover chase his tail around the office boost productivity during tough times?
More employers appear to think so - some companies now have pet policies to lift staff morale during the economic downturn.
Petfood manufacturer Mars Petcare launched the Pets in the Office policy last year.
Program manager Amanda Fisher has developed Petiquette, which requires employees to register their animals, demands vaccinations and provides pet identification tags with owners' contact details.
Acacia Gardens production manager Tara West, 23, said bringing her kelpie, Kelsey, and Lhasa apso-cross, Ruby, to work at advertising agency Leo Burnett was "good stress relief". Dogs have been welcome there for two years.
"Advertising is pretty fast-paced so I think it just helps," MsWest said.
"You see grown men rolling on the ground with the dogs."
Employers First executive director Garry Brack warned of health and safety concerns, including accidents and allergies.
A NSW Health Department spokeswoman said there were noregulations about allowing dogs in the workplace, though certain restrictions would applyto businesses making or selling food.
First published by Smh.com.au on February 15 2009
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