A new study reveals that workers who often take their dog to work report a 22% higher level of satisfaction with their working conditions.
The study, sponsored by Purina - the founding member of the Pets at Work Alliance - is the first to quantify the benefits and the impact of dogs in the office on work-related and dog-related outcomes.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Lincoln (UK), it was published to co-incide with "Bring your dog to work Day".
The study measured parameters such as employees' engagement and wellbeing or their control over decisions at work. It also analysed how the bond between dogs and their owners can be reinforced by being together as well in the office.
It revealed that people who take their dog to work report increased absorption in their work by a significant 33.4% and in their dedication to work by 16.5%.
It also saw an overall increase in work engagement of 14.4%. Researchers also suggested that the presence of a friendly dog may increase motivation and attention to set tasks.
Nestlé UK & Ireland, Purina's sister company, has allowed dogs into many of its offices since 2015.
It said its main offices in Dublin, Gatwick, and York now has over 100 "four legged colleagues" on the payroll.
"Our results show that far from being a distraction, (a fear expressed by some in our earlier work) allowing dogs in the workplace has the potential to improve employees' focus and probably productivity too," commented Professor Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at the University of Lincoln.
He said that forward-thinking companies should consider very seriously if they can accommodate dogs in the workplace.
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