As pet owners, we know how difficult it is to balance work life with personal or family life. Long workdays and, in many cases, long distances we have to travel from home to work and vice versa, contribute to us not always being able to dedicate the time our best friends deserve and that we would like to share with them.
This incompatibility often generates stress and dissatisfaction. Also helplessness and sadness. Because we need our pets and they need us. Proof of this is that many of us don't leave them alone in our leisure time!
Well, it seems that little by little, we are going to see some light at the end of the tunnel. And conciliation will cease to be a dream to become a reality. Especially when there are scientific studies that support it.
A recent study by the University of Virginia has shown that having pets in the office is very beneficial for everyone. Do you want to know why?
1. Employees suffer less stress. Having your pet nearby relaxes you and makes the workday seem less harsh.
2. They increase productivity. 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 faster and more efficiently.
3. They inspire. Whether they are your own or someone else's, having pets nearby is very inspiring. Because you feel relaxed and happy. And that's how good ideas emerge.
4. They facilitate relationships between colleagues. Pets are a great topic of conversation and an excellent way to get to know people better. This can help that co-worker you don't pay much attention to become a good friend. There's nothing like having a common passion!
5. They improve concentration. Since the owner's guilt decreases when their pet is nearby, watched and cared for throughout the day, focus and concentration increase.
6. They promote healthy breaks. We can use breaks to walk and play with them. This is undoubtedly good for spending some time on your feet – as otherwise, in many cases, we are even able to eat in front of the computer screen. They are the perfect disconnection!
As for pets, the experience is also very enriching for them, as they can get to know new surroundings and environments, and interact with other people and other pets. This makes them more sociable and intelligent.
In Spain, little by little, some companies are admitting the presence of pets in offices. Many of them have done so encouraged by "Project Guau!", an initiative promoted by Nestlé Purina, which emerged in 2015, whose objective is to socialize young dogs so that in the future they can help and provide services to people with disabilities.
As we always say, there is still much to do. But it is good that society is starting to consider that certain sectors have their own needs and demands that cannot be neglected. Especially when science demonstrates that our request is not a whim, but a great way to improve the work environment and to help employees suffer less stress and be more productive, more sociable, and happier.
What is the situation like in your workplaces? Can your pets also come to work?