Ottawa- Daisy looks after the welfare of the team at Tungsten Collaborative, a design firm in Ottawa, Canada. Beside her, Delilah, a basset hound, approaches this 12-year-old labrador… She wants to play. In the office with ten employees, other dogs circulate, such as Évoli, an English greyhound, and Hudson, a German shepherd, who barks to attract attention.
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| Photo: Dave Chan-AFP
Daisy is even in a photo with the team on the company’s website, where she has a brief bio. “A lot of the biggest innovations that Dave (McMullin, VP) has driven have come from long walks with Daisy,” the company says, adding that the dog has “nine years of experience supporting top designers.”
“We advise people who have pets to bring them” to the office, Tungsten Collaborative president Bill Dicke told AFP. For him, the coronavirus pandemic has made companies more tolerant of animals in the workplace.
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| Photo: Dave Chan-AFP
The inclusion of the Tungsten Collaborative on the Humane Society’s list of dog-friendly businesses has resulted in increased business activity and staff productivity, Dicke says.
POPULAR SUPPORT
According to a recent Leger poll conducted for PetSafe, half of Canadians (51%) support bringing their dog to the office.
The proposal is particularly appreciated by the youngest: 18% of employees aged 18 to 24 said they would change jobs if their boss did not allow them this possibility.
Faced with the nearly 200,000 Canadians who have adopted a dog or cat during the pandemic, bosses who have been demanding face-to-face work have been forced to consider relaxations.
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| Photo: Dave Chan-AFP
CHALLENGES
For Johan Van Hulle, 29, the new rule was “a key factor in the decision” to accept a proposal from the Tungsten Collaborative last year.
At construction companies Chandos and Bird, also in Ottawa, nuclear researchers are visibly moved by the presence of Samson, a 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier. His tutor, Trevor Watt, didn’t want to leave him home alone when he returned to the office in January.
He thought bringing him into the business would be a temporary fix. But the pet not only adapted to the office, but conquered other employees, who are already walking Samson. “He loves coming to work,” said Trevor Watt, who is grateful to “not have to worry about him anymore.”
For her boss, Byron Williams, petting a dog is a great way to “wind down after a meeting.”
But the presence of man’s best friend also poses challenges, for example, for employees suffering from allergies, or for those who are afraid of dogs.
Heard by AFP, employees of other companies also complained of stains on the carpets, unexpected barking and hair everywhere.
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