Buzzing About HR
🎙️ Buzzing About HR
Straight-talking HR for the people doing payroll, sales and playing workplace therapist before lunch.
If you run a UK small business, or you're the HR-of-one trying to keep the wheels on, this podcast is for you.
No corporate jargon.
No "synergy."
Just real answers to the people's problems no one warned you about.
Hosted by award-winning HR expert Kate Underwood, each episode tackles the moments small business owners actually face:
- The employee who's brilliant at the job and causes chaos in the team
- The manager who avoids hard conversations until they turn into a bonfire
- The "small issue" grievance that suddenly becomes a formal complaint
- The sickness pattern is suspiciously linked to Mondays and payday
- The resignation that makes you think, " What did we miss?"
You'll get plain-English UK employment law, practical advice on performance, absence, hiring and retention, and grown-up culture conversations, all usable the same day. No theory. No paperwork museums. No advice that only works in big HR departments with unlimited budgets.
This is also a permission slip to lead like a human. Clear standards. Fair boundaries. Decent communication. Less drama. The goal is a calmer workplace, fewer sleepless nights, and a team that actually wants to stick around.
And yes, Hazel the office dog pops up too. Because nothing says "people management" quite like a judgmental stare from a Wellbeing Officer who's never written a policy in her life.
☕ Start here: take the FREE HR Health Check and see where your risks and your quick wins are hiding.
New episodes every Tuesday.
Buzzing About HR
Dogs at Work: Lovely Idea or Hairy HR Problem?
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In this episode of Buzzing About HR, we are talking about dogs in the workplace. Because yes, office dogs can be brilliant. They can lift morale, get people moving, spark conversations, and make a workplace feel warmer and more human.
But they can also cause absolute chaos if no one thinks it through.
This episode is about getting the balance right.
We look at the real upsides first. Dogs can genuinely help with employee wellbeing, encourage proper screen breaks, and act as natural ice-breakers in teams that do not always talk much. For some businesses, a pet-friendly office can even help with recruitment and retention, especially when culture really matters.
Then we get into the reality.
Not everyone loves dogs. Some people are allergic. Some are frightened. Some just do not want to spend the day stepping over a Labrador under a desk while trying to answer emails. And those concerns are not “being difficult”. They can link to health, safety, and even equality issues if handled badly.
So I talk through what small businesses actually need to think about before they jump on the office dog bandwagon. Lease agreements. Insurance. Hygiene. Trip hazards. Welfare. Space. Boundaries. And whether your workplace is genuinely suitable, not just cute in theory.
I also share a really simple framework to help you think it through properly, plus why a pilot scheme is usually the sanest place to start. One calm dog. One day a week. A short trial. See what happens before you accidentally create a four-legged free-for-all.
And yes, we cover how to make decisions fairly. What should make you stop? What might be fixable? And how to avoid creating a culture where one person’s lovely perk becomes everyone else’s quiet resentment.
If you are thinking about allowing dogs at work, or you already have and suspect it might need a bit more structure, this episode is for you.
Subscribe, share it with a fellow manager, and leave a review if it helped. And if you have a sticky pet policy question, send it in. Anonymous is absolutely fine.
If you’re not 100% sure how your HR is really holding up, take our free HR Health Check. It’s short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what’s working — and what needs a bit of love.
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If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.
Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email buzz@kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, or follow along on social.
Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.
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
Dogs as workplace wellbeing officers
Speaker 1upper . 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 1You'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
Benefits of dogs at work
Speaker 1. And yes , h is looking at me as if to say not guilty this time .
Speaker 1Dogs 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 1So , 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 1Dogs are tripping
Potential downsides to consider
Speaker 1hazards 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 1Puppies 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 1My 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 ,
The PAWS framework for implementation
Speaker 1stairwells , open bins Basically H's favourite treasure hunt .
Speaker 1Ask 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 1Plan 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 1Dogs 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 .
Essential checks before allowing dogs
Speaker 1All areas , lanyard . How to pilot it . How to pilot it , don't dive in . Test it .
Speaker 1Run 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 1After four weeks , sit down for a quick review . Do you keep going . Adjust or park the whole thing .
How to pilot a dog policy
Speaker 1H 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 1Get 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
Traffic light system for decisions
Speaker 1Quick myth bust , quick Myth Bust .
Speaker 1Couple 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 1One policy fits all , nope . Every office is different , different , and so are the risks . What
Myth busting about office dogs
Speaker 1would 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
Final thoughts and takeaways
Speaker 1, 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 .
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