The 'Pawsitives' of Pet-Friendly offices

Imagine you are sitting at your desk, you hear the sound of paws pattering along the carpet floor, and you turn around and see… DOGS! With their loyal nature, adorable wagging tails and abundance of licks, dogs have been a firm favourite for centuries.

Friday 25th June marks 'National Take Your Dog To Work Day', and is an attempt to help restore puppies and dogs to the workplace. The day aims to help people understand the benefits of the human-animal relationship as well as educating others on the importance of adopting dogs from rescue centres.

At Interparcel, we are a big advocate for dogs of all shapes and sizes in the office. If you think we are barking mad, here are some reasons why pets have a positive influence in the workplace:

Stress relief

A dog's friendly nature can make staff feel more welcome in the office environment. A 2017 study from Purina states that 45% of people with pets at work say it creates a more relaxed atmosphere. A quick tea break whilst petting a dog? Sounds pawsome to us!

Promotes positive interactions

Dogs provide a common ground for conversation and promote positive interactions between employees. 40% of people with pets at work say it enhances work-life balance. Having a dog in the office can be a powerful bonding tool for the team and is very helpful for dog owners who would otherwise have to pay for dog care. 24% of people with pets have work have also stated that it improves relationships in the workplace.

Attract younger talent

A pet-friendly office is not only a fun one, but it is appealing to many potential candidates applying to roles. 50% of employees without a Pets at Work scheme would see it as a benefit because it promotes a good work culture. We should really change our name to 'Interpawcel' as we are the ultimutt dog fans!

To celebrate 'National Take Your Dog to Work Day' on Friday, we want to share some photos of our fabulous office dogs and how they improve our workdays.

Charlie, the Shih Tzu, is the Interparcel UK mascot. He follows his owner Sarah wherever she goes and is always up for a back scratch. He oversees meetings and deliveries to make sure everyone is working hard and keeps staff morale up with his cheeky personality and flappy ears! His favourite spot, however, is his cosy bed next to Sarah's desk.

Every Friday, Charlie is joined by more Interparcel pooches; Hugo and Herbie. The infamous pug duo regularly investigates the office, sniffing out any potential snacks along the way. They also like to lead weekly meetings to discuss why they should be fed treats every hour on the hour.

We also welcome Del Boy, Makka, Maisy and Millie who all love the attention and cuddles from staff. They enjoy playing together in the office and are always ready for a photo opportunity. Del Boy in particular has a lengthy collection of fantastic outfits- the Peaky Blinders get-up is one of our favourites!

Our pets are always there for us when we need it most, so why not treat them? If you have a fellow animal lover or four-legged friend you'd like to treat, send them a gift parcel today! You can send dog beds, chew toys, gifts and more with our range of postal services. Our parcel delivery services can collect and deliver your goods Same Day, Next Day or Economy to suit your schedule.

Source: Purina 2017 study

WIN A PETS AT HOME VOUCHER FOR YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND

Want to treat your pet to some extra treats and toys this month? Enter our competition for the chance to win a £50 Pets At Home gift card. The gift card can be used at any Pets At Home store across the UK. All you need to do is like and share our post on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram or LinkedIn to be in with a chance of winning! T&Cs Apply.