Dogs At Work: A Perk That Pays Off

Some Companies Find Furry Companions Keep Employees Productive

(CBS)  There's something about where Ryan Hayes works that millions of Americans would love.

Replacements Ltd. is a large china and silverware retailer with cookie-cutter corporate contemporary looks — until you look closer. As CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports, Hayes has company in his cubicle: Coco, his beagle puppy.

He's not alone. There are dogs all over the company, which encourages its 500-plus employees to bring them in. It's a perk that pays off.

"You do work better because if you're maybe having a bad day, you can just look down at your feet and you smile," Hayes says. As for the barking, he says, "It doesn't bother me because I'm used to it."

Bob Page owns the company and has built it into a roughly $70 million-a-year business. It was his idea to allow dogs.

Dogs are welcome in the office, in the warehouse, and even in the showroom.

Bringing dogs to work might make good business sense, according to one survey that found 46 million Americans would work longer hours if they were allowed to bring their furry companions into work with them.

So what used to be unheard of is now becoming almost commonplace. About 20 percent of American companies, including giants like Google, allow dogs in the office. The theory is that dogs reduce stress — and that's good for business.

"Anytime you have an employee that's content, I think they become more productive in general," Page says.

By and large, the dogs get along and express themselves only occasionally.

But have the dogs ever had an accident in the store?

"Well, they do occasionally have accidents," Page admits.

Coco got a little overexcited, but Hayes handled it. He went on with his day, Coco went on with hers — and throughout the office, it was business as usual.

[amullins287]

Can we publish this list of the 500 companies? i need to brush up on my resume. I've noticed in NY it's not the company that won't allow it, it's the building. i work in the well known "fashion district" and it's the buldings who have the policies! My lula is a fit model for my company and she comes in once a month and stays all day. the red tape to get her in is riduculous. But back to my original point. WILL CBS publish their 500 found companies.

[guenther2-2009]

Sally is the most beautiful dog ever! Please, CBS, let her come to work.

[trueprogress]

Thank you for your support and kindness. I also love dogs, and have 2 pitbulls and one mixed breed part pitbull. They are gentle, loving and would never hurt anyone. They play rough but never have bitten anyone in anger. I even let my kids play with them, except at dog feeding time. My boss and my co workers restricted my bringing my dogs to work because they were "afraid" of the breed. All dogs are the same. Then they said no to my pet reptiles too. Is this fair ?

[hamiltongrad]

To Trueprogess: You can't take your lizard to work ? I feel that is not fair either. I agree with you. If dogs and cats are allowed why not other pets too ?

[adventsw]

It's important for a company to have a very specific Pets in the Workplace policy which makes it clear that while dogs and other pets are welcome for the sake of employee's enjoyment, it cannot be at the expense of individual people who have allergies or fears or other concerns of dogs. Dog owners must keep them on leash, clean up messes, and keep them out of elevators, bathrooms, and any areas with food. My employer has had dogs in the office for over 20 years with minimal problems. Most people, including many non-dog-owners, love having them around, although people do need to respect the fact that a handful of people actually do not enjoy having dogs around (it's still a professional office, not a kennel).

[adventsw]

There is a website which lists companies across the U.S. which allow dogs at work. It's at http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/general/workplace/

[pattipsi]

Our organization, Pet Sitters International, sponsors the annual Take Your Dog To Work Day event held every year the Friday after Father's Day (June 22, 2007). From our 8 years of hosting this event, we have found that many of the concerns raised here, e.g. allergies, phobias, etc. can be overcome with old-fashioned common sense and consideration. Every year we have more and more companies participating in this fun day as employers realize the important role pets play in today's society. For more info on dogs in the workplace, please visit our website www.petsit.com, and kudos to Katie and Richard for presenting this innovative segment on the CBS News! Patti Moran, President, Pet Sitters International

[luvr5r]

I would like to know more company's that allow pets. Replacements. Ltd will be first list to shop at. I am even thinking of a 2nd career after I retire from nursing at Replacement Ltd. Awesome work!! Thanks for bringing positive stories into my life.

[perm3800]

another case of living for the minority. 200 people work at an office, one of whom is allergic to pet saliva, so no one can bring a dog. One person in a school of 1000 is allergic to peanuts so no child may bring a peanut butter sandwich.

There are pet shampoos that denature the protein that triggers dog and cat allergies in people. Dogs who come to the office should be required to be bathed, just like their owners, and this should substantially reduce the problem.

I would like to see perfume and aftershave banned. Folks literally drown themselves in the stuff and it triggers migraines for me. Yet I don't gt all uppity about it, insisting everyone give up their scents.

[trueprogress]

My boss allows dogs and cats to be with us. I have two pet snakes and one inguina. My boss was open to the idea, but someone was "upset". We took a vote, and I got voted down to allow me to bring just one of my "pals" to work. They are clean and never bite. They eat mice which they look forward to for lunch, and I keep all the rodents in the car, until time to eat.
I don't think this is fair to me. I should be able to take one of my pets to work too !

[pegbur]

I WORK FOR A SMALL COMPANY IN SPRNIGFIELD, OHIO AND I TAKE MY DOG TO WORK WITH ME EVERYDAY. SHE IS A JOY TO HAVE AND ALL THE CUSTOMERS LOOK FOR HER WHEN THEY COME IN. SHE SLEEPS ABOUT ALL DAY IN THE CHAIR IN FRONT OF MY DESK SO IF I AM HAVE A BAD DAY ALL I HAVE TO IS LOOK UP AND SHE PUTS A SMILE AND MY FACE.

[hamiltongrad]

Dogs and cats should be free to go where they desire to. Who are we to limit their freedom ?

[teamjnz]

This article is great. I work at a place that allows my babies to go to work with me. It is a comfort at times to have her there with me. As far as the allergies, my husband has asthma and he lives with 7 dogs in our home. It can be done! Thanks for getting this out CBS!!

[inalv]

My name is Lauren Valenta from Ridgewood NJ. I have cerebral palsy and use a motorized wheelchair. I dont personally have a canine companion to help me live more independently due to the possibility of have an allergic reaction and fear of not being able to get away from possible danger or injury in time.
If pets in general can go the office why do people disabilities who do have canine companions for independence reasons have to carry around documentation to allow their service animals in public.
Also, this being the case why do employee with disabilities have to fight for reasonable accommodations necessary in order to work.

Bergen County NJ Division on Disability Services Advisory Board

Bergen County NJ Department of Human Services

[stephnyman]

Let Sally In! Let Sally In! I loved this story and so agree with it. Pets have shown to cause greater life expectancy!

[kmckowen]

So, why doesn't CBS allow dogs at work? Don't they trust your report?

[scribbler195]

A company full of employees' dogs sounds very warm and fuzzy; nobody ever mentions the downside of a workplace overrun with dogs. Please don't get me wrong, I do like dogs and cats, but: I don't have one because of allergies and asthma. And when someone brings their pet in to work, my breathing is affected, sometimes mildly, but sometimes VERY badly. (Just two days ago, I had an asthma attack strongly worsened by the dog a coworker insisted on bringing in yet again---I have to be there to do my job: her dog does not.)

I've tried to be nice on the occasions when people insist on bringing their pets in to our no-pets-allowed office; I've tried explaining what the problem is. The responses? They range from telling me I'm exagerating any problem, to one person who told me that "if you just play with my sweetums for a while and rub her belly, you'll see how friendly she is, and how you don't need to be so scared of dogs". Scared? The only thing I'm 'scared' of, is ceasing breathing because of animals in the workplace.

[haydeemc]

I was just wondering what happens to people who are allergic to animal fur. Do They have to try to live with all those animals running around?