We pet parents know how difficult it is to balance work with our personal or family lives. Long working hours and, in many cases, the long distances we have to travel to get from home to work and back mean that we cannot always give our best friends the time they deserve and that we would like to share with them.
In many cases, this incompatibility causes stress and dissatisfaction. It also causes helplessness and sadness. Because we need our pets, and they need us. Proof of this is that many of us never leave their side during our free time!
Well, it seems that little by little, some light is beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel. Work-life balance is going to stop being a dream and become a reality. Especially when scientific studies support it.
A recent study conducted by the University of Virginia has shown that having pets in the office is very beneficial for everyone. Would you like to know why?
1. Employees experience less stress. Having your pet nearby is relaxing and makes the workday seem less difficult.
2. Productivity increases. Having your pet nearby reminds you how much you want to go outside with them and take a nice walk or play. So you work more quickly and efficiently.
3. They inspire. Whether they are your own pets or someone else's, having pets nearby is very inspiring. Because you feel relaxed and happy. And that is how good ideas arise.
4. They facilitate relationships between colleagues. Pets are a great conversation topic and an excellent way to get to know people better. This can help a coworker you do not pay much attention to eventually become a good friend. There is nothing like having a passion in common!
5. They improve concentration. Since an owner's feeling of guilt decreases when their pet is nearby, supervised and cared for throughout the day, you can focus and your concentration improves.
6. They promote healthy breaks. We can use our breaks to walk and play with them. This is undoubtedly good for spending some time on our feet -since otherwise, on many occasions, we are even capable of eating in front of the computer screen. They are the perfect way to disconnect!
As far as pets are concerned, the experience is also very enriching for them, since they can discover new surroundings and environments, and interact with other people and other pets. This makes them more sociable and more intelligent.
In Spain, some companies are gradually beginning to allow pets in their offices. Many of them have been encouraged by the “¡Woof! Project”, an initiative promoted by Nestlé Purina that began in 2015 and aims to socialize young dogs so that in the future they can help and provide their services to people with disabilities.
As we always say, there is still a lot to do. But it is good that society is beginning to understand that certain groups have their own needs and demands that cannot be ignored. Especially when science shows that our request is not a whim, but a wonderful way to improve the work environment and help employees experience less stress and become more productive, sociable and happy.
What is the situation like in your workplaces? Can your pets also go to work?