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I was in the frozen food aisle of my neighborhood co-op the other day when a woman with a small dog on a leash walked by. The dog wasn't wearing a service vest, but the little guy was very well behaved. When the women chided him for breaking his heel to excitedly sniff my leg, the pup -- who was probably all of 12 pounds -- fell right back in line.
Like me, several customers looked genuinely surprised as the woman and her four-legged companion approached the checkout line. "Do you get a lot of dogs in here who aren't service animals?" I asked the cashier. I wasn't irate or disgusted -- just curious -- especially because I'd recently read about a growing pack of Portland residents who bring their non-service dogs into supermarkets.
"Not many," the Seattle cashier told me. As long the animal isn't wreaking havoc, they usually let in-store dog sightings slide, she said, explaining, "It's kind of awkward to ask someone whether their dog is a legitimate service animal."
This got me thinking about dogs in the workplace. Sure, we'd all love to bring our pets to work, but it's usually not practical.
In my former 9-to-5 life, I worked at a megacorporation with a "no dogs allowed" policy. Coworkers with small dogs that could easily be hidden under a desk would occasionally sneak them into their office. A die-hard dog lover myself, I always delighted in sniffing out and fawning over these stowaway office mutts.
Eventually I got a firsthand reminder of why most sizable organizations ban pets from the workplace. Deluding myself that my spastic black Lab could keep quiet and sit still for an hour on a Friday while I "just stopped by" my office to pick up some files, I brought him with me and tied his leash to my chair. Not only did he bark every time someone walked past my door, he tried to nip my officemate when she made a move to pet him. Horrified, I decided to stash my ill-mannered mutt in my car and quickly ushered him out of my office. Before we even made it to the building's exit door, he lunged at a manager.
(Seriously, what was I thinking bringing a skittish dog to work? Forget getting fired. Had anyone been hurt, I could have been sued.)
Between that experience and the research I've since done about pooch-friendly workplaces, I'm of the mind that "dogs allowed" policies work best in small companies.
Take Parsons Public Relations, a boutique PR firm in Seattle I wrote about a couple years back. Not only does the firm profile its three office pooches on its website's About Us section, it goes out of its way to state the following:
"Want a job here? You have to pass muster with the dogs -- they are an integral part of the final review process."
In other words, the allergic and indifferent need not apply.
Readers, what's your take your pooches in the workplace? Are they are source of calm for you? A source of stress? Just one big hairy, distracting mess?
Freelance writer Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail her at ninetothrive@nwjobs.com.
By Katie on September 15, 2009 1:21 PM
If you're allergic like I am, it would be a pretty miserable experience. No thanks.
By Andrea on September 15, 2009 2:20 PM
Without pets as insPAWration... we'd be in a pretty tight squeeze. I used to work in an art gallery and brought my dog along there as well... because most people visiting the gallery were tourists, he was a welcome surprise for those who missed their own pets. I found it actually helped sell art, because it gave us something to talk about instantly.. everyone loves to brag about their pets!
By an_american on September 15, 2009 10:23 PM
If the allergic need not apply, they are violating the Americans With Disabilities Act. If animals aren't essential to the business (like at a vet, or pet groomer) then asking employees to have the common decency to leave their animals at home falls well within the legal definition of "reasonable accomadation". Of course, the ADA only applies if there are more than 15 employees, which supports the author's comment that this policy is better for a small company.
Andrea - perhaps the customers who stayed in your store liked your animal, but do you know how many people will turn around and spend their money elsewhere if a store doesn't respect its customers enough to provide them a safe shopping environment?
By Ada on September 16, 2009 10:48 AM
Be aware that the law does not require service animals to be labeled as such (the gear is costly and many people with disabilities have financial limitations). Any business representative may ask if the animal is in service, and may legally ask what service it performs, but a general answer of "He assists me with a medical condition" should suffice. Businesses are not required to allow dogs in training if the handler does not require the service performed. And many small dogs are excellent medical alert dogs (seizures, diabetic emergencies, etc.), as they are bred to be very attentive to their owners, are cost-effective, and are comfortable in small living situations. Just because someone has a little dog in her purse doesn't mean she's sneaking a pet into the store. Denying entrance could mean a lawsuit under the ADA; as well as lability for any injuries suffered in the store for lack of warning from the dog (e.g., having a seizure, falling, and hitting her head).
By Grant on September 16, 2009 11:29 PM
I love animals, but in my experience they're a distraction in a workplace environment. If a person and their pet can't be apart from each other for 9 or 10 hours, then I think that's a problem.
If you wouldn't bring your child or spouse to sit in your cubicle all day, then please don't bring your pet to the office.
By Renee on September 18, 2009 9:46 AM
We have a cat in our office. People, including myself, are severly allergic to it. I sit in a cubicle so I don't have the luxury of closing my door to keep her out. I wheeze and my eyes are bothered, but what can you do besides quit and find another job and in this economy....the cat is worshiped here. She has free roam of the place and if anyone were to complain, Im sure you'd quickly find yourself without a job.
By Ashley on September 20, 2009 11:56 AM
I'm lucky in that I can take my dog to work when I need to and so can my partner. My dog's severely stressed by thunderstorms. Most days he stays home happily but somedays it's just not feasible. I understand not taking animals into stores regulated by the health department or resturants but we have found plenty of patios in the summer time and our friends don't mind joining us. I have also run into plenty of small businesses, from stores to offices where a pet is part of the team. Pets have been known to have many theraputic benefits but they aren't for everyone and must be well mannered or they distract more than they help. As people try to integrate their life more because of the demands of work, pets will become more commonplace in work and other aspects of life. If you don't like it, don't patronize those places.
By John on September 22, 2009 6:51 PM
In general I don't have issues with dogs, being a multiple dog family. However, I definitely have issues with them being brought into any business that sales or prepares food, as I work in that industry. I think too many people take advantage of the "don't ask, don't tell policy regarding service animals and they should never be allowed to take animals into supermarkets or eateries.
By td on September 22, 2009 7:17 PM
Common sense should tell you that first you should respect your fellow humans, and then worry about your 4 legged friend. The fact that many people are equipped with insufficient common sense or respect is why we have laws to prohibit behavior such as bringing pets into places they do not belong. And yes I do love dogs, it's a subset of selfish or clueless owners that annoy me. So if you are a customer and want to take your dog with you, go to Norms for dinner and a beer. Or any other business that has made it very apparent that they actively welcome dogs. And if you are an employee, never take it to work.
By Foley on September 23, 2009 4:51 PM
I resent that dog owners feel like they are entitled to bring their pets everywhere they go, that everyone else is obligated to put up with them. Dogs in a grocery store are rude and unsanitary and if I see one I will complain to the manager.
By Mike in Greenwood on September 24, 2009 5:39 PM
I love animals too, but bringing them to public places is severely rude and inconsiderate to other people.
Any jerk can purchase a colorful "service animal" jacket for their dog on eBay. I've seen many people claiming their pet is a "service animal" when it's quite clearly not the case. Of course, I have no problem with that when it's legit, but it seems like it rarely is these days.
I also have worked in businesses where "pets" (i.e. dogs) are allowed, and found it to be a major distraction not only for the dog owner, but also for the people around them. I could care less if your doggy is scared of thunder storms. Just say "no" employers!
Finally, I hate seeing dogs in coffee shops and grocery stores too. (Again - it's rude!) If I see employees not taking action, I often email management about it later.
By bw on September 24, 2009 8:59 PM
Ok, if you can bring your dog to work then I can bring my toddler. Fantastic! To even the score, though, I'll have to make a few adjustments. In lieu of a wet nose, I'll soak a sponge in cold mucous and attach it to her hand. Hopefully she'll hit some bare skin with it. I'll dip her feet in her own urine and allow her to walk in her feces (with long toenails, of course, to trap more matter), then let her trot around the office. Speaking of toenails, I'll give her a garden claw to scratch you with. I'll have to find something to treat it with (poison ivy?) so that you can get a rash just like I do every time your dog touches me. Instead of a tail I'll give her a filthy feather duster and instruct her to knock over as many things as possible with it. For general filth, I'll empty a full vacuum bag into a feather pillow and get her to shake it around the office. Isn't she cute? I swear I bathed her a week ago!! Get used to it - it's the wave of the future!!!
Figure it out - it's understandable if your dog isn't offensive to you, but please consider the fact that he/she likely is to someone else. I promise not to plant poison oak in your planter if you promise to leave your dog at home.
By CJ on September 26, 2009 8:52 AM
I've brought my husky/malamute mix female in to my workplace several times. She lays down quietly in a corner and watches or naps. Same thing she does at home. No one has a problem with it. And if they do, they can leave my work area and stick to their own space. Just like you, bw,. I guess my dog is just smarter and better trained than your children.
By Heath on September 26, 2009 10:56 PM
Bringing a dog into a supermarket (other than a legitimate service animal) is unsanitary and impolite to the other shoppers. Stores which allow this could be found in violation of the health codes relating to their business license. It seems a shame that these selfish dog owners would put the grocery owners at risk like this, and that the employees would, too.
By Keith Gormezano on October 7, 2009 10:46 PM
As "Dr. QuickBooks & Quicken - I make house calls", a pet-friendly Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor in the Greater Seattle area, about half of my small business clients have or allow companion animals in their workplace.
I've learned to extend my hand to the many friendly dogs, cats, and other pets when I come to their home offices or business sites to solve their problems.
In some cases, I have worked with the client while stroking the small pet as it rested in my lap or at my feet. Cheaper theraphy than drugs.
Based on comments that I have heard, my willingness to accept animals in the workplace got me the assignment in the first place.
I enjoy having the animals around as I help them set up their company's files in their accounting and bookkeeping software, review what they have done themselves (doing it yourself doesn't always mean that you did it right), and train them or offer personalized classes on how to effectively use their financial management program (I call it teaching them how to fish or make Tofu if they are a vegan for themselves.)
And I don't have a pet myself.
By glenn on October 8, 2009 9:55 PM
I now have to phone ahead to businesses I want to frequent, to find out if pets are allowed in the establishment. You'd be surprised by how many businesses don't allow anything but service animals, but rude ass pet owners feel they are special, and bring their animals in anyway. Thank goodness for the U. S. Postal Service, which strictly enforces its no animals in the lobby policy!
Pet owners say they are "kind, caring people", but what they really are is another faction that feels they are special, and so are their pets. Grow up! Your pets are animals, not humans, show some respect for the human race!