4 ms·

I suppose open plan has some advantages, like it is more hip (makes for great "we are a family" pictures), and the "team building" might make people less likely

I suppose open plan has some advantages, like it is more hip (makes for great "we are a family" pictures), and the "team building" might make people less likely to leave their jobs. Just guessing - in any case there might be effects that offset the lower productivity. Otoh I was floored to read today that Amazon apparently has lots of dogs in their offices because it is supposedly good for the atmosphere, lower stress levels and whatnot. I heard Google has lots of office dogs, too. I hope this is not a case of pseudoscientific superstition, because for me office dogs would be an absolute deal breaker. If most offices start adding dogs because of some shaky research results I'll be in trouble :-(

saryant 12y ago
My company is co-located with another company and they encourage dogs in the office. My question has always been: what if you want to hire someone with a dog allergy? Worse: what if the person isn't currently local and there aren't any dogs in the office the day they happen to come in but relocate only to find they can't possibly work in that office?
- JoeAltmaier 12y ago
  Work remotely.
- Spooky23 12y ago
  I was always kind of amazed about companies that do this. I'd love to bring my dog to the office, but when does it become not ok to cause physical harm to my co-workers?
- existencebox 12y ago
  While I was at google, I had (and have) a minor pet dander allergy. There were _many_ dogs regularly in the office, and perhaps I'm being overly paranoid/judgemental of the culture, but mentioning your own discomfort would have been read very negatively against you by not only the dog owners but by all the people who do buy in to that it is some part of the culture. Whether you read that as a feature or a frustration, it comes down to that it simply becomes another line item that potential candidates may be judging you on, and you may never know about it. (it's certainly something I keep an eye out for nowadays.)
  - saryant 12y ago
    Personally, I think it's wholly inappropriate to put an employee in that situation, especially since new employees can't speak up as freely as those with a longer tenure at the organization. You can't just show up and start rocking the boat.
toomuchtodo 12y ago
> I hope this is not a case of pseudoscientific superstition There is science behind it, although accommodations should be made for those who are allergic or have phobias. "There is plenty of research to show that this isn’t just another shaggy dog tale. Studies going back to the early 1980s support the idea that dogs—and other pets—have enormous health benefits for people. Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve recovery from heart disease, and even reduce rates of asthma and allergy in children who grow up with a Fido or a Frisky in the house. Pets also improve people’s psychological well-being and self-esteem." http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/therapy-dog-offers-stress-relief-at-work-201107223111 http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/therapy-dog-offers-stress... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19185195 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19185195
- facepalm 12y ago
  I don't doubt that pets have a positive effect. But some dog running around isn't the same as a pet. It might be beneficial for the dog's owner, but not for me (and presumably not for other people either). It's not my pet, it's somebody elses pet. Of course it seems possible to hire only dog lovers, who would all benefit from improved mood in the dog office. I just hope that not every company adopts the rule, because some scientist claims it will universally increase mood. A dog approaching in the street is very stressful, especially if you are in company of a small kid.

saryant 12y ago

My company is co-located with another company and they encourage dogs in the office. My question has always been: what if you want to hire someone with a dog allergy? Worse: what if the person isn't currently local and there aren't any dogs in the office the day they happen to come in but relocate only to find they can't possibly work in that office?

JoeAltmaier 12y ago
Work remotely.
Spooky23 12y ago
I was always kind of amazed about companies that do this. I'd love to bring my dog to the office, but when does it become not ok to cause physical harm to my co-workers?
existencebox 12y ago
While I was at google, I had (and have) a minor pet dander allergy. There were _many_ dogs regularly in the office, and perhaps I'm being overly paranoid/judgemental of the culture, but mentioning your own discomfort would have been read very negatively against you by not only the dog owners but by all the people who do buy in to that it is some part of the culture. Whether you read that as a feature or a frustration, it comes down to that it simply becomes another line item that potential candidates may be judging you on, and you may never know about it. (it's certainly something I keep an eye out for nowadays.)
- saryant 12y ago
  Personally, I think it's wholly inappropriate to put an employee in that situation, especially since new employees can't speak up as freely as those with a longer tenure at the organization. You can't just show up and start rocking the boat.

toomuchtodo 12y ago

> I hope this is not a case of pseudoscientific superstition There is science behind it, although accommodations should be made for those who are allergic or have phobias. "There is plenty of research to show that this isn’t just another shaggy dog tale. Studies going back to the early 1980s support the idea that dogs—and other pets—have enormous health benefits for people. Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve recovery from heart disease, and even reduce rates of asthma and allergy in children who grow up with a Fido or a Frisky in the house. Pets also improve people’s psychological well-being and self-esteem." http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/therapy-dog-offers-stress-relief-at-work-201107223111 http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/therapy-dog-offers-stress... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19185195 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19185195

facepalm 12y ago
I don't doubt that pets have a positive effect. But some dog running around isn't the same as a pet. It might be beneficial for the dog's owner, but not for me (and presumably not for other people either). It's not my pet, it's somebody elses pet. Of course it seems possible to hire only dog lovers, who would all benefit from improved mood in the dog office. I just hope that not every company adopts the rule, because some scientist claims it will universally increase mood. A dog approaching in the street is very stressful, especially if you are in company of a small kid.