When you think about it, those of us that work full-time spend more of our hours at work than in any other single place. Shouldn’t that environment be comfortable, and one that is full of joy, even on the toughest work days?
Additionally, there is a lot of talk in human resources circles about the importance of “culture” in work environments. Creating a culture where people enjoy coming to work, don’t feel overly stressed, and can be productive should be the goal of every employer, regardless of the size of the organization. There is a lot that goes into it, but one thing that we have found that brings joy to both our employees and clients is the presence of our furry mascot, Beauregard (Bo).
The benefits of an office dog have been discussed in a variety of publications. They have been shown to reduce stress levels by being a calming, and non-judgmental, presence in the office. Additionally, while it may seem counterintuitive, work environments with a dog tend to be more productive. Part of this can be attributed to the calming influence a canine brings, therefore allowing employees to be more focused and complete tasks more efficiently.
Another positive impact is increased social interaction. Many people in our profession lean toward introversion and find social interactions to be stressful at times. But research has shown that the presence of a dog increases conversations, breaking down barriers between people who aren’t well acquainted. This leads to greater overall comradery and collaboration, increasing your company’s productivity.
We tend to think about it during the holiday season but adding a bit of joy and taking away some stress is a great thing to do every day. After all, you spend a lot of time at work, why not make it as fun as you can, right?
What do you do in your offices to create a culture where people want to work, and clients want to visit? We’d love to hear your stories!