Buzzing About HR
Buzzing About HR by https://www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk is the go-to podcast for anyone looking to make their workplace better. Hosted by HR expert Kate Underwood, each episode dives into the latest HR trends, essential tools, and practical strategies to help businesses of all sizes navigate the ever-evolving world of work. From improving employee engagement to tackling real-world HR challenges, Kate shares actionable advice you can implement right away. Whether you're an HR professional, a business owner, or someone passionate about people, this podcast will keep you ahead of the curve and buzzing with ideas to drive success in your workplace.
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Beyond the Wagging Tails: The Real Impact of Dogs in the Workplace
Office dogs can transform workplace culture when implemented thoughtfully, but require careful planning to avoid potential pitfalls. From boosting morale and facilitating connections between colleagues to serving as recruitment tools, dogs offer numerous benefits that must be balanced against considerations for allergies, safety, and fairness.
• Dogs can significantly improve workplace morale and reduce stress levels
• Regular dog walks encourage movement and provide healthy reset breaks
• Dogs act as natural ice-breakers, enhancing communication between colleagues
• Pet-friendly policies can serve as effective recruitment and retention tools
• Allergies and phobias must be taken seriously as potential legally protected conditions
• Safety considerations include accident risks, tripping hazards, and hygiene concerns
• The PAWS framework provides structure: Policy, Assessment, Welfare, Space/Systems
• Essential checks include lease agreements, insurance coverage, and equality obligations
• Start with a pilot programme—one calm dog, one day a week for a limited time
• Traffic light system helps decision-making: Red (stop), Amber (fix issues), Green (proceed)
If this episode was helpful, follow the show and share it with a fellow manager, and if you've got a sticky pet policy question, send it in. Anonymised is fine and I'll tackle it in a future episode.
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Picture this it's a Tuesday morning, the team are firing up laptops, the coffee machine spluttering away and, in bounces, h our wellbeing officer, part-time squirrel chaser and full-time diva. She does a victory lap of the office, gets three belly rubs and then parks herself right next to the biscuit tin like she owns the place. Suddenly, everyone's smiling. The Monday blues have melted. Stress levels down. Morale upper. Now imagine, instead of one calm dog you've got three excitable puppies bouncing around, someone sneezing in the corner and a chewed ethernet cable dangling under the desk. Office dogs Are they the best idea since tea breaks or a recipe for chaos? That's what we're diving into today. Hello, lovely people and welcome back to Buzzing About HR. I'm Kate, your friendly HR consultant, who loves turning real-world people issues into simple actions that won't fry your brain. Quick disclaimer this podcast is for information only, not legal advice. Right, let's talk dogs at work why this matters.
Speaker 1:You've probably noticed more and more dogs popping up in offices and, honestly, done well, they can be magic. They calm people down, lift the mood and make the workplace feel well. More human. Done badly. You'll have allergies, flaring accidents on the carpet and arguments before you can say who chewed through the charging cable. And yes, h is looking at me as if to say not guilty this time.
Speaker 1:Dogs are brilliant morale boosters. Just having a wagging tail nearby can make a tough day easier. And those lunchtime walks they're the healthiest reset button you'll find. H insists hers are strategic well-being breaks, especially if they pass greg's. Dogs are also natural ice breakers. Even the most awkward Monday morning is softened by a friendly snuffle at your ankle. Suddenly people are chatting, who normally just send emails. They get us moving too. H is basically my Fitbit in fur. If she wants a stroll, you will stand up from your desk. And let's not forget recruitment. A pet friendly workplace can genuinely sway a candidate Clients. Remember it too, assuming your office dog isn't auditioning for Britain's loudest bark.
Speaker 1:So, yes, plenty of tail wagging upsides, the downsides, but and it's a big but, but it's not all sunshine and paw prints. Allergies and phobias are real. In fact, they can be legally protected. If someone's struggling, you can't just wave it off with. But h is cute though. Then there's hygiene and safety. Accidents will happen.
Speaker 1:Dogs are tripping hazards and bites. While rare are serious Food prep areas. H is banned from ours mainly because she can sniff out a sandwich at 50 paces. Distraction is another one. A wagging tail is lovely, but too many. Just one more cuddle breaks and your productivity's toast. Just one more cuddle breaks and your productivity's toast. Fairness is also an issue. Why can Tom bring his cockapoo but I can't bring my cat? Answer because cats would run the company by Friday and we'd all be unemployed. And don't forget landlords and insurance. If you don't check, you could find yourself uncovered. Finally, the dog's welfare Offices can be noisy or boring.
Speaker 1:Puppies and anxious dogs Not ideal. And if H doesn't get her nap spot by the radiator, we all hear about it. So, no, it's not all Instagram reels. How to make it work. Here's how I keep it simple.
Speaker 1:My PAWS framework P is for policy who can bring a dog, how often and what behaviour is expected? Calm, house, trained, vaccinated, insured non-negotiable. And yes, h does have her HR paperwork on file. A is for assessment. Yes, h does have her HR paperwork on file. A is for assessment. Do a quick risk check Cables, stairwells, open bins Basically H's favourite treasure hunt.
Speaker 1:Ask the team about allergies or phobias. And don't forget clients. A polite sign in reception that says dog on duty today makes life easier. W is for welfare the dog's welfare, not just ours. Pick calm adult dogs, not puppies. Provide water, a comfy bed and regular breaks. H insists on at least two strategic tummy rubs per day as part of her wellbeing.
Speaker 1:Plan S is for space and systems one dog at a time to start On a lead in shared spaces. Accident kit, handy, spare lead in the fire evacuation plan H swears she'd lead us all out anyway and make sure staff can say I'm not comfortable with this without drama. Must checks, must checks before you let a pour over the threshold. Check the boring stuff. Your lease some landlords say no. Your insurance does it cover dogs? Your hygiene rules, dogs and kitchens big nope. Your equality duties? Allergies and phobias can be disabilities. Handle them with care and remember assistance.
Speaker 1:Dogs are in their own category. If someone turns up with one, that's a legal access need. H says she's still waiting for her access. All areas, lanyard. How to pilot it. How to pilot it, don't dive in. Test it.
Speaker 1:Run a four-week trial. Start with a staff survey. Draft a simple policy trial. One calm dog one day a week for a few hours. Check in with the team at lunch and again at the end of the day.
Speaker 1:After four weeks, sit down for a quick review. Do you keep going. Adjust or park the whole thing. H says the review should include biscuit rations. I've told her that's not standard practice. Traffic lights Think of it like traffic lights. Red means stop. No landlord approval, no insurance or a team member's health need can't be accommodated, and absolutely no dogs in kitchens, no matter how persuasive their eyes are. Amber means fix.
Speaker 1:Get your policy written, your risk assessment done and your managers trained on handling objections. Green means go Calm. Adult dogs, short visits, rota in place, complaints route open. H reckons it should also mean unlimited gravy bones. We're negotiating Quick myth bust, quick Myth Bust.
Speaker 1:Couple of myths to bust. It's my therapy dog so I can bring it. Not automatically. It's not a legal pass. Everyone loves dogs, they don't, and that's fine. Your policy needs to protect non-dog people too.
Speaker 1:One policy fits all, nope. Every office is different, different, and so are the risks. What would you do? Here's a scenario your best salesperson has a severe dog allergy. Your office manager wants to bring dogs in on Fridays. What's the fair solution? Maybe a dog-free zone. Maybe the salesperson works from home on dog days. Maybe you shift it to another day. There's rarely one perfect answer, just a fair one, properly documented. H says her solution is simple Everyone works outside in the park. I'll let you judge that. One Wrap up and CTA. So office dogs, dream team or dog's breakfast? Honestly, they can be both. Get it right and they're brilliant, get it wrong and they're brilliant. Get it wrong and it's chaos. The trick is to plan for both the people and the pooch. Start small, be clear and keep listening. If this episode was helpful, follow the show and share it with a fellow manager, and if you've got a sticky pet policy question, send it in. Anonymised is fine and I'll tackle it in a future episode. H says to also send biscuits, but I'll settle for your HR questions.
