It wasn’t that long ago that the concept of sharing a workplace with animals was unheard of. Workplaces were meant to be used for work. Thankfully, the modern workplace is ever-changing and much more relaxed than it was in generations past. As a result, it’s becoming increasingly popular for employees to bring their pets to work in the modern world. You might be surprised to learn that 94% of people support having pets in the workplace!
While it’s primarily dogs that follow their people to work, some workplaces also allow cats and other pets. However, what might be the benefits of bringing animals into the work environment? As it turns out, there are many benefits to having a cat in your work environment! Read on to find out how sharing your office with a cat can lower your stress levels and make you a better employee.
Are office pets really a “thing”?
Absolutely! Many companies around the world allow employees to bring their beloved pets to work. Large companies like Amazon and Google have been allowing employees to bring their pets to work for years.
Google welcomed its first canine visitor in 1999 and has become much more accommodating to employees’ pets. The company allows dogs in all of its offices and has a dog park on one campus. There are also puppy therapy programs in several Google offices.
Amazon is one of the most dog-friendly companies in the United States. On any given day at the company’s Seattle headquarters, you can find up to 7,000 dogs working with their owners. The company has been dog-friendly since day one, and like Google, one of its buildings has a dog platform with a man-made fire hydrant.
While dogs may be the most common pet in the workplace, finding other pet-friendly offices is not impossible.
Tokyo-based IT company Ferray has been rotating office cats since 2000. Currently, about nine cats live in the office during the day. The company also offers a stipend to employees who adopt shelter cats and bring them to the workplace.
In 2011, Pasona Group, a human resources company in Tokyo, recruited two four-legged employees who love grass. The goats live on the 13th floor of Pasona’s headquarters, which has been converted into a ranch that employees can visit on their breaks.
A happy woman on her laptop with her cat
What are the benefits of working with cats?
There are several scientifically-backed benefits of working with animals, namely increased levels of productivity and stress relief.
Productivity
An office pet can make work more enjoyable and increase career satisfaction. This ultimately reduces absenteeism and increases productivity and work output. Employees who are more satisfied with their position put in more effort and are less likely to quit.
Stress relief
Perhaps the most enticing reason to take your cat to work is that they can help relieve stress.
A 2020 study found that companion animals can act as a social buffer against psychological distress and loneliness. Additionally, pets can reduce stress responses and increase resilience, which can come in handy in the workplace.
Even something as simple as petting a cat or dog can relieve stress. I can’t think of a better way to unwind after a demanding meeting or phone call than to snuggle up with your kitty and give him some well-deserved petting.
You’ll reap even more benefits when your cat is content and starts whimpering. Cats purr between 20-140 Hz, a range known to be medically therapeutic for human ailments. In addition, purring calms your nerves and lowers blood pressure.