We all know a few places where dogs belong: the park, the backyard, and walking down the street. But what about in the office? The Yahoo Finance Company of the Year is doing things a bit differently. Nvidia lets its employees bring their dogs to work. And it's actually a good thing.
It might seem like a disaster waiting to happen, but the CEO of Nvidia thinks that being a responsible dog parent means making sure your dog isn't lonely all day. So why not bring in your best buddy to the office for some good old corporate fun?
Of course, there have to be some ground rules. For instance, everyone has to pick up after their dog and needs to be responsible. Also included in their pet policy: dogs are not allowed in indoor common areas and conference rooms, they need to be on a leash when walked, and they can never be left alone (that's where your coworkers come in).
But Nvidia is not the first and only company to do this. Other state of the art companies such as Alphabet and Salesforce also allow dogs in the office. But why?
Well, first of all, it saves a lot of money on dog walkers. Second, it can relieve stress, since there's always something fluffy for you and your coworkers to pet. It can help bring together the office community. But the catch is, Nvidia doesn't allow cats in the workplace because they're less likely to be adaptable to a new environment.
So is it a good idea or just a whole lot of hassle? Well, according to a survey at the Banfield Pet Hospital, "7 in 10 employees and HR DMs say pets at work make a positive impact on office dynamics and workplace morale." Maybe it helps bring down the intensity a bit. But the problem is, having dogs in the workplace could be the right formula for behavioral problems, according to veterinary behaviorist E'Lise Christensen. Whatever side of the coin you're on, having dogs at work is one way companies are increasing morale at the office.
