There was a time, not so long ago, when taking your dog to the office was a privilege reserved for Michel Drucker and his famous red sofa from Studio Gabriel. Twenty years later, are we all on the verge of becoming Michel Druckers? According to an Ipsos study published in June 2023, the rise of teleworking has indeed strengthened the bonds between owners and their pets: “62% of dog owners (compared to 41% in 2022) now express the wish to take their companion with them workplace,” the investigation indicates. Tolerating the presence of pets in the office has even become a recruitment lever, particularly among 18-24 year olds who constitute the age group with the most dog owners. Even an unstoppable argument to encourage employees to return on site. Dogs, a CV “catcher” and a formidable tool to counter teleworking? As revealed in an article from World published on November 26, 9% of French companies now allow their employees to come to work with their faithful companion, compared to 7% in 2021.
Far from being a French exception, the phenomenon of “pet at work” can only be attractive in a country which has some 7.6 million dogs, a figure increasing by 8% between 2016 and 2022. Since 1976, the total number of pets in France has increased by 2.5. It is therefore not surprising that some employees would like their presence in the office to be permitted. “The dog is the new table football,” says Mylène Bertaux, author of Everything (Fayard), interviewed by The World.
The comparison is telling: a few years ago, the philosopher Julia de Funès, columnist for L’Express, saw table football as a simple “alibi for the well-being of employees”. However, there are many “studies” highlighting the supposed benefits of the presence of animals at work. A majority of employees would see a positive impact on their well-being, in particular because of the reduction in stress it would provide. Surveys largely carried out by or for players in the animal sector such as Nestlé Purina, which specializes in animal food and which offers a support kit for companies. Or by the Wamiz site, presented as “the No. 1 European media group dedicated to pets”.
But in the office, doesn’t the well-being of some people stop where that of others begins? By others, understand those who do not own animals. The managers of France and Navarre – who are already crumbling under the weight of bureaucracy, meetingitis, contradictory injunctions and other rejoicings – will gladly do without stepping over poodles and dachshunds in the open space. “Not all dogs are trained in office etiquette: left unsupervised, some can wander freely, chewing colleagues’ belongings or dirtying the carpets. Some owners could also use a little training: many exasperate their colleagues by talking to their animals in a baby tone, what should managers do?”, asks. The Economist In an article published on August 22, 2024. Moreover, a study conducted in 2021 by two researchers from the Nova School of Business and Economics in Portugal concludes that “pet-friendly company policies are only effective if they are implemented authentically and in line with the culture and environment. “company atmosphere It cannot be seen only as a simple tool to improve the well-being of employees or to improve the employer image”.
When will cats and hamsters come?
Finally, has anyone thought of these French people suffering from cynophobia – the fear of dogs – or heard of the 10 to 20% of individuals allergic to saliva and dog dander? Not to mention the people who hate dogs (spoiler: there are more of them than we think), and not to mention the 10,000 bites recorded in France each year, a figure “very certainly lower than reality”, according to ANSES. Although there will always be a dog owner to assure you that the apple of their eye has never attacked anyone. Until the day…
Certainly, the law is there to regulate things a little in the open space. Indeed, even if nothing in principle prohibits my colleague Ambre from taking “Marcel”, her Havanese – after asking permission from her employer – certain restrictions apply. Thus, first category attack dogs such as pitbulls are prohibited. Enough to reassure those who feared losing a cheek between two meetings. In addition, the legislation excludes the presence of animals in certain sensitive places, such as health establishments, public administrations or businesses in the food sector. Finally, if your employer is a tenant of the premises, he must request authorization from his lessor and seek the opinion of the CSE (social and economic committee). Unsuspected advantages of the French bureaucracy…
On a societal and community level, the “pet at work” trend also raises questions. How can we justify businesses opening their doors to our dog friends – as adorable as they are – when some restaurants and holiday clubs choose to close them to children? If small selfishness takes precedence over the collective, doesn’t the open space risk transforming into Noah’s Ark? And if we accept Nathalie’s dog, how can we refuse Sébastien to bring his cat or Mickaël to come with his hamster? My work neighbor has his own way of summarizing the situation: “And while we’re at it, why not my mother-in-law?”
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