Can Office Pets Make You More Productive?

Fox

Did you know that PRIMARY Coworking is pet friendly? On any given day you can find a furry friend fulfilling their office duty of being as cute as can be.

Office felines and canines specifically have been shown to:

Boost productivity

Motivate

Reduce stress

Create a warmer atmosphere

Increase team morale

Paige Rechtman, LMHC, says “I think having pets in the office can definitely help with morale. Many people with pets feel more calm, positive, and happier in general when they are around their pets.”

According to a study by Nationwide Pet Insurance in partnership with the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), “9 in 10 employees are highly bonded to their employer when pet-friendly benefits are offered.” The report also says those same employees are more likely to stay with a company long-term.

“Our motto is “you work best when you feel great” — we know that some people will work best when their furry friends are with them at work, so as long as they aren’t creating a distraction to others - dogs have always been welcome at Primary!” says Lisa Skye, co-founder of PRIMARY. 

Quantitative data from a Virginia Commonwealth University study has shown via saliva samples that employees who had a dog in their office, or near them, had low cortisol levels at the end of the day. Qualitative data from the same study also showed the difference in perceived stress on days canine friends were present, and when they weren’t. According to head researcher Randolph T. Barker, the differences were significant.

“Bringing that carefree, positive energy into the workplace can be contagious, and people tend to have better moods all around. When it comes to productivity, if people have a better mood in the office, that can have a positive effect on focus and motivation,” says Rechtman. She adds that “not only that but if a pet owner doesn't have to worry about their pet being home alone all day, there is more thought energy directed towards the tasks at hand.” 

Vinny

Office pets impact more than the business, they can be beneficial for employee’s health as well. It’s said that pets may improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, reduce loneliness, and generally boost mental health.

That’s corroborated by Rechtman, “I've even heard of pets having the ability to lower blood pressure levels and boost immunity for their owners.”

While there can be downsides, Rechtman says “Sometimes having pets around can create a distraction, because they're just so cute and fun to play with or cuddle!, But as a pet lover myself, I know I have enjoyed my work days much more when my cat has been by my side (or in my lap!).”

She adds that “having our pets around is what gives many of us joy and meaning in our lives, and I think many people appreciate being able to spend as much time with their pets as possible. Bringing them to work is a great way to do that.”