Business owners and managers often want to liven up the workplace. That provides business value, because a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere can lead to better productivity and employee morale. Relaxing dress codes, allowing employees to listen to music while working and having summers hours are just a few ways of going about this.
Another possible way to change the workplace setting: dogs. Some employees have them and many people enjoy dogs even if they don’t own one. "Man's best friend" became a cliche because of its truth. "Take Your Dog to Work" days are becoming more common in today's offices. Here are a few factors to consider before you begin this tradition.
Hazards of injury or allergy
According to FindLaw, the legal blog run by the Thomson Reuters news service, any problems that occur can fall on the company. For instance, if a canine bites and injures an employee, the principles of premises liability and vicarious liability would shift responsibility onto the business. Only the right comprehensive business liability insurance protection will serve as an appropriate safety net.
Allergies are more complicated. Due to health information privacy regulations, it is quite possible that you don't know much about employees' medical history. So it’s natural that you would not be aware of employees’ dog or pet-dander allergies. That said, informing employees in advance of a “dog day” would be wise. If someone told you about a severe allergy on the heels of that announcement and you didn't accommodate the request, you could be on the hook if any serious reactions occurred.
Basic rules
On its blog, the California law firm Fenton & Keller recommended enforcing some basic rules for a “take your dog to work” day. These include requiring leashes, using gates to prevent dogs from entering certain areas and ensuring that some rooms are dog-free areas.
Consider the workplace itself
Not all companies are suited to hosting pets. According to Fast Company, a business magazine, industrial, chemical, pharmaceutical or food-service companies would be poor choices for this type of event. They just are not conducive to pets' presence. By contrast, a corporate office or small shop could be fine, so long as the pooches in question are well-behaved even in unfamiliar settings.
Service dogs are the exception
While we're on the subject of workplace four-legged friends, remember that all concerns are invalid when service dogs are concerned. FindLaw noted that as long as certified service dogs for individuals with disabilities are not dangerous to anyone, they can't be barred from the workplace under any circumstances without risking federal discrimination lawsuits.
Another possible way to change the workplace setting: dogs. Some employees have them and many people enjoy dogs even if they don’t own one. "Man's best friend" became a cliche because of its truth. "Take Your Dog to Work" days are becoming more common in today's offices. Here are a few factors to consider before you begin this tradition.
Hazards of injury or allergy
According to FindLaw, the legal blog run by the Thomson Reuters news service, any problems that occur can fall on the company. For instance, if a canine bites and injures an employee, the principles of premises liability and vicarious liability would shift responsibility onto the business. Only the right comprehensive business liability insurance protection will serve as an appropriate safety net.
Allergies are more complicated. Due to health information privacy regulations, it is quite possible that you don't know much about employees' medical history. So it’s natural that you would not be aware of employees’ dog or pet-dander allergies. That said, informing employees in advance of a “dog day” would be wise. If someone told you about a severe allergy on the heels of that announcement and you didn't accommodate the request, you could be on the hook if any serious reactions occurred.
Basic rules
On its blog, the California law firm Fenton & Keller recommended enforcing some basic rules for a “take your dog to work” day. These include requiring leashes, using gates to prevent dogs from entering certain areas and ensuring that some rooms are dog-free areas.
Consider the workplace itself
Not all companies are suited to hosting pets. According to Fast Company, a business magazine, industrial, chemical, pharmaceutical or food-service companies would be poor choices for this type of event. They just are not conducive to pets' presence. By contrast, a corporate office or small shop could be fine, so long as the pooches in question are well-behaved even in unfamiliar settings.
Service dogs are the exception
While we're on the subject of workplace four-legged friends, remember that all concerns are invalid when service dogs are concerned. FindLaw noted that as long as certified service dogs for individuals with disabilities are not dangerous to anyone, they can't be barred from the workplace under any circumstances without risking federal discrimination lawsuits.
