Millennials Take Dogs to Work (Disruptive or Necessary For Health)

Look out, baby boomers: millennials are taking over in a number of areas of American life. However, one might surprise you – according to Stifel Equity Research, more and more companies are going to start letting pets into their workspaces in order to attract millennials to more traditional office positions.

This goes along with the findings of a recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, in which 8% of American workplaces were found to provide allowances for workers to bring their dogs or cats into work – an increase from 5% in 2013. Pet health insurance is even becoming a more prevalent phenomenon in workplaces like Google, with 9% of companies providing this much-desired amenity.

These changes to the workplace environment come at a turning point for American workplaces, as well as the more discerning needs of millennial workers, according to president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association Bob Vetere: “Employers are starting to realize that having a millennial bring … a pet to work, you wind up getting a more focused employee, you get someone more comfortable at the office and a person willing to work longer hours.”

Bringing your dog into the workplace might seem like a disruption to outsiders, but advocates instead argue that it is a vital part of making the millennial work experience more comfortable. Dogs have been shown to reduce stress in the workplace, and even smooth over interactions between coworkers by cultivating a more positive work environment.

If this incorporation of pets into the workplace continues, this should dramatically change the atmosphere of American working life forever. No more does the 9-to-5 workday have to be dull – not with your furry friend to keep you company.