Should dogs be allowed in the office?

I appreciate that for you, and many people reading this, the office is no place for animals. I can also see that in certain buildings, certain departments or divisions of an organisation, and even in certain sectors, dogs aren’t well-suited to an office. But I should also point out that there has been some interesting research into the benefits of animals such as dogs in office environments – for owners and non-owners. One study found that dogs in an office led to “lower rates of absenteeism and higher worker morale and productivity”. Another discovered mostly improved perceptions of an office that accepted pets … except for black cats. (One of my favourite ever family pets was a black cat and this piece of data hurts my heart.)

It’s also worth mentioning that for some workers, a dog in the office isn’t a preference but a necessity. A person with low vision or blindness, for example, might use a guide dog as their primary mobility aid. That dog helps to make their commute, as well as parts of their workday, safer and more convenient.

As I mentioned at the start of this column, I wouldn’t say I have an “agenda” on this subject. In truth, it doesn’t animate me in the way that certain corporate buzzwords or bullying or the Essendon Football Club does.

I love dogs and cats, but don’t feel the need to advocate for their admission into all workplaces.

I do see, however, that under the right circumstances, and with plenty of good communication and planning, they can be a wonderful addition to some offices.