6 Things to Consider Before Implementing a Pet-Friendly Policy

ACI Founder and CEO Dr. Ann D. Clark is a frequent media contributor and blogger. Employee Benefit News has turned Dr. Clark’s Are American workplaces going to the dogs? article into a slideshow list. See an excerpt below, and see the full list on Employee Benefit News.

With pet ownership on the rise — more than a third of Americans today have a four-legged friend — an increasing number of employees are looking for pet-friendly workplaces. And employers are increasingly taking note.

Companies like Amazon, Kimpton and Salesforce now allow employees to bring pets to work with them. Some provide walking trails, “pet desks,” or special dog-friendly rooms. The floor cleaning company Bissell Homecare has an indoor dog spa, and Procter & Gamble gives pets titles such as “Vice President of Canine Communications.”

Still, turning a workplace into a pet-friendly zone is a big decision, and it’s not for every company. With major increases in pet ownership and a cultural shift in pet parenting, HR leaders should review the following pros and cons and start building a clear pet policy.