We continue to investigate where the most inspiring pet-friendly companies are and what they are. This is how we arrived in Germany, a country where pets have enjoyed a special status for years. It is a country that all others look to when it comes to advancing in terms of animal respect and welfare. In fact, they have a federation that brings together all dog-friendly companies in Germany and carries out campaigns in favor of offices where pets are welcome, to combat problems associated with work stress.
So today we present three very different German companies, but with something in common: work is compatible with pets. Companies that we should all learn from.
Jimdo is a platform to create websites and online stores quickly and easily. The company was founded in Hamburg in 2007, by three friends: Matthias Henze, Christian Springub, and Fridtjof Detzner. And the three share a philosophy: at Jimdo, pets are more than welcome.
Image source: Jimdo's Facebook Jimdo
XING is a professional social network or an online networking platform, whichever you prefer. It was founded in Hamburg in 2003 by Lars Hinrichs and is said to be "Germany's LinkedIn."
It has more than a thousand employees and all its offices (Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, and Barcelona) are pet friendly. So, more than 20 ARISTODOGS roam their offices. The management is aware that their employees do not like having to leave their pets at home…
That is why they do not hesitate to give prominence to their pets on their networks… so that the example can spread.
Image source: Xing's Facebook Xing
In Xing's office in Spain, they are not far behind either.
Image source: Xing's Twitter Xing
This is not a megatechnology or innovation company, but an art center, located in the city of Ulm, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. This building, designed by the famous American architect Richard Meier, promotes encounters with art, people, and culture.
We highlight this case because the inclusion of pets in the workplace is important in large corporations, but also in smaller or reduced work environments. Sometimes it seems that these "social innovations" are only for startups that start in Silicon Valley, but it can be carried out in all companies and businesses. Since it makes a difference anyway.
In the case of Stadthaus Ulm, the small team is clear: dogs cannot be missing. Therefore, the director of the organization and public relations does not hesitate to bring her dog Félix, an Andalusian winery dog, with her. And the head of administration and finance also does not separate from Sunny, her German shepherd.
We hope these three examples have inspired you. And you know: if you run a company, whatever its size; you are responsible for HR or have some decision-making power in your workplace... spread the word! Together we can make our work environment and our work itself much more pleasant, productive, and stress-free.