Pets in the workplace. Here’s how you can do this safely in your workplace

In recent years, the idea of pets in the workplace has gained significant traction as a tool to boost employee engagement and mental well-being. However, introducing pets into such a highly regulated and client-focused environment comes with complexities that demand careful planning and execution.

This article provides actionable guidance on creating a pet-inclusive workplace policy that supports prioritising safety, compliance and the dignity of both clients and staff.

Why Consider Pets in the Workplace?

Australia boasts one of the highest rates of pet ownership globally, with nearly 69% of households owning a pet. This cultural connection to animals is now making its way into workplaces across a variety of industries. For the community services sector, where work can be emotionally demanding, pets can play a role in reducing stress, developing a sense of team and improving morale.

For example, Petsure Australia, a leading pet insurer, introduced structured pet days with strict health and training protocols. They reported enhanced workplace harmony and higher engagement levels on active pet days. Translating such results to not for profit organisations could play a part in addressing some of the workplace challenges commonly seen across the sector.

Challenges: Navigating Unique Workplace Considerations

Before jumping into a pet-friendly policy, community sector organisations must carefully consider potential challenges:

1. Health and Safety: Some employees and clients may experience allergies or phobias related to pets. For example, at a Hobart office trialling a pet day, risk assessments and consultation was utilised to understand the extent of these issues in order to minimise health concerns.

2. Regulatory Compliance: Every step must align with existing workplace health and safety frameworks, as well as laws governing specific sector environments such as aged or disability care. Policies need to account for hygiene, animal behaviour, and emergency response standards.

3. Client Impact: Consideration must be given to how pets might affect service users, particularly in dementia care settings or when clients have sensory sensitivities or be physically vulnerable to an overly friendly or boisterous animal. Organisations need to stay mindful to the notion that having pets onsite, just may not be practical.

A Practical Guide to Implementing a Pet-Inclusive Workplace Policy

1. Start with Consultation and Risk Assessments

   Engage with employees, clients, and other stakeholders (for example Unions) early in the process. Conduct robust risk assessments to identify potential hazards and ways to mitigate them, including contingency plans for allergies, phobias, and emergencies.

   
   

   Actionable Tip: Create anonymous staff surveys to gauge interest in bringing pets to work or having pet-friendly days, while gathering insights into concerns and needs.

   
   

2. Develop a Clear, Inclusive Policy

   A workplace pet policy should encompass detailed guidelines on:

   
   

   Eligibility: Define which pets are permitted (e.g., domesticated dogs or cats). Specify behavioural and health requirements, such as vaccinations and training.

   Pet-Free Zones: Designate areas where pets are not allowed (e.g., clinical rooms, sensory spaces, or clients’ rooms).

   Opt-In/Opt-Out Provisions: Respect staff and clients who do not wish to participate. Apps can assist with this process, an example is "PetRoster," a scheduling app which supports managing rotations and ensures participation remains optional.

   
   
   
   

   Case in Point: Canberra Veterinary Hospital, a workplace accustomed to pets, created strict zoning rules to manage interactions. This level of planning can be adopted by non-veterinary organisations to maintain a safe and structured environment.

   
   

3. Scheduled Trial Days

   Before committing to a full program, run trial “pet days” to assess the practicalities and potential benefits. This approach provides a controlled way to monitor outcomes, gather feedback, and fine-tune policies.

   
   

   In Practice: Trial small-scale initiatives, either departmentally or on specific days, to understand how staff and clients respond. Track metrics such as worker satisfaction, client feedback, and workplace disruptions.

   
   

4. Encourage Sustainability and Ethical Practice

   Given increasing focus on environmental sustainability, worth consideration is aligning your policy with eco-conscious practices. For example, partnering with local councils to implement wildlife-friendly policies if your organisation is located near bushland. In warmer areas, creating climate-controlled zones to keep pets safe during extreme temperatures.

   
   

   Additional Insight: Australian Conservation Foundation has advocated for practices like sourcing eco-friendly pet products and creating waste management protocols—a strategy essential for aged care facilities where hygiene and sustainability hold heightened importance.

What Are the Tangible Benefits?

When implemented thoughtfully, pet-inclusive policies can generate measurable results:

1. Boosted Morale and Retention: A Brisbane-based advertising agency saw retention rise by 15% a year after introducing a pet-friendly workplace. Similarly, in aged care, where burnout and turnover are commonplace, such initiatives could improve staff satisfaction and loyalty.

2. Reduced Stress: A Perth telecommunications firm reduced workplace anxiety during stressful events via a "Dog Therapy Initiative." Implementing such initiatives in an aged care setting could provide both staff and clients with opportunities for stress relief.

3. Enhanced Team Dynamics: In a Hobart office trial, the presence of dogs broke up workplace cliques, leading to greater collaboration across teams. Community services providers could adopt this as a creative solution to encourage teamwork.

Final Considerations: Aligning Policy with Organisational Goals

While pets in the workplace are promising for employee engagement, it’s important to ensure that such initiatives do not interfere with core service delivery or client safety. Consistent evaluation, proper staff training and an inclusive approach to policy development will ensure that any pet program adds genuine value without unintended consequences.

For Community services organisations, embracing pet-friendly policies represents an innovative way to tackle sector challenges like workforce retention, stress management, and team cohesion—all while contributing to healthier, happier workplaces.

Interested in exploring how pet-friendly policies could work for your organisation? ANSON can assist with tailored and compliant policy development and implementation support.