"jobs worth responses", Ian? Nice

It is totally up to each company if they do or do not allow dogs both views I respect. In a role I had several years ago some dogs were allowed. The acceptance was at the managers discretion it was not a right but a privilege and it was mainly allowed for staff that were early starters or later workers so that it is beneficial to the company that the dogs were on site rather than their owners having to go home to attend to them. We provided a room with air conditioning and a stair gate at the door each dog had its own crate so they could go to bed if they wished and could socialise with the other dogs in the communal part if they wished. No other staff were allowed near the dogs and dogs were only allowed out of the room on a lead. staff were responsible for taking their dogs out at suitable intervals and obviously had to clean up after them. Each owner had to provide details of their dogs insurance which had to include public liability. They provided details of their vets and they signed to say the management had the right to take the dog to the vet if they had genuine cause for concern and the owner could not be found. The owners had to agree that if the dog was of unsound temperament or showed signs of stress or unhappy or did not mix well with the others they it must be removed and can not attend.The number of dogs was kept to a small number and I have to say it worked brilliantly and all the dogs and staff were very happy. The staff never took excessive time to look after their pets they appreciated the privilege and all dogs were well cared for and well behaved. If anything the staff were more dedicated and focused because they were not worried about their pets. The scheme still goes on and its in its 20th year so it works and so if you are sensible, take correct precautions and consider the pets welfare as well as the peoples it can work very well.

Chris, thought you said you were a H&S manager. I know it's the last resort but have you never heard of PPE. I think you are a killjoy if you don't want animals around, we should allow dogs, cats mice, birds, rats, hamsters. Oh no sorry only dog owners like to have there pets at work as it gives them comfort, relaxes them and makes the workplace a happy place to be. There only looking after are welfare and university studies show this.

I think it may be hard to type in a full hazmat suit, though I admit I have never tried. Could get a little uncomfortable in the summer not having any exposed skin. Yeah ok probably not much of an issue this summer. I'm ok with snakes - the pet variety. I will admit I am a killjoy, I see no reason or requirement people should be happy at work. I don't go to Christmas party's anyway. Talking to drunk people about H&S is not fun. My point is people like me with such a problem could easily become a pariah. Chris

Im not a jobs worth. If we allowed dogs in our offices there would be chaos. Its a ridiculous idea. Article may not be work related as such but 1000s of people each year are bitten by dogs. That is a fact. Work is for work not for babysitting your favorite pet dog.

What really should be expected is that people leave animals at home and get on with the job. I have a dog but would never consider taking it into work unless it was bring your pet in day, along with own clothes day and I still don't expect to bring Christmas presents in when I arrive back after Christmas. This is something we did as children. I pay someone to call in if no one is at home. Typical animal lovers want more rights then anyone else. are people suggesting that if you are screened and can't have animals around then tuff no work!

Hi Clearly no-one has said "if you are screened and can't have animals around then tuff no work!" Also the question was not "what do you think people should do at work?" It was about bring dogs in. jwk is absolutely correct - risk assess. And as I put earlier - COSHH, Equality Act and HASWA will apply. Just as they do to other allergies/sensitizers - mites, peanuts, garlic, small mammals, and many more than are far more common than allergy to dogs or their dander. You can look up the guidance on the HSE website and in the Asthmagen Compendium. http://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/asthmagen.pdf There are lots of workplaces, like my own, that allow pets, with a procedure in place and a risk assessment. They bring great benefits around stress and engagement. You can see a BBC article here about research carried out by, and I kid you not, Prof Barker. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17561272 You can also search for The Pet Report 2014 and get information there. As I said earlier, message me if you want any help around this as I work for a pet retail and services company I would rather send the information privately. Ian

Its not all of us dog lovers that agree, i do not think workplaces should have pets. I have a handful of dogs and would not dream of them coming to work (nor would they be allowed i would add) even though my place does allows dogs (working dogs & only certain dogs and reason for that); a workplace is just that, unless the dog is working i.e photocopying or bringing cups of tea, i don't think there is a place or need.

Brian, very paw effort at a joke!

Chris 42 - is it OK for a dog to Vape in the workplace? And Friday is tomorrow. Wonder if this will run on.

Nice one - CDM, Vaping, Smoking and Pets in the same post. You only missed out on "Is it a RIDDOR if someone is on a lunchbreak and they are bitten while stroking a pet dog which has been brought into the workplace by its owner and they have to go to hospital and are off for 8 days, one of which is a bank holiday and two are the days they have off between switching over to nights" for a full house of the threads that keep on giving :-)

For what its worth I dont think dogs should be at work 99 times out of 100 but I guess there are always exceptions to the rule. A lot of the reasons why they shouldnt be seem to centre on the risk of biting, allergies, mess etc from the posts I've read. having said all that many hospitals these days are going down the route of encouraging people to bring pets in to visit patients as it is seen as therapeutical and helps in the recovery process. Wonder what kind of risk assessment the hospitals have in place to cover the concerns raised in this thread (Im sure there are a few members working within that field)? I'm currently putting my dog through a Therapet assessment so that she can be taken into hospitals etc to visit children/elderly - I've my concerns from an owners' point of view but can see the benefits they could bring so am happy to give it a try.

Just because they weren't listed doesn't mean they weren't there! Allergies, Dog Bites, Feaces Urine Tripping over them Out of control animals Dog fights You then have to contend with other people wanting to bring other pets in as you would have difficulty discriminated against them. Maybe you could have a rolling rota, Cats Monday, Dogs Tuesday, Mice Wednesday, Rats Thursday, Fleas for all Friday. I still however this is a case of H&S being used to prevent management having to make the decision.

I get that from sex, drugs and rock n roll - Can I bring those into the workplace too? ;) Unless the dog is required for work (Dog Handler, visiting a residential home or beagles smoking in a lab) I wouldnt even consider a dog in any workplace

Work doesn't need to be aseptic and boring, I'll often listen to music if I want to concentrate on something. Don't do much sex n drugs around the office though....

My three dogs are always at work with me, I work in my Study at home. I get fed up having to get up out of my chair to let one or more out, and then again when they want to come in. I am disturbed when they want to be fed and walked, many interuptions throughout the working day. I like my dogs. By the way Invictus "I know and old lady who swallowed a fly, perhaps she'll die. I know an old lady who swallowed a spider ............ You can read the rest here. http://www.timmyabell.co...ic/lyrics/ol/oldlady.htm

Asthma, eczema and psoriasis, my three lifelong companions are not particularly well suited to dogs, cats or any other furry type pets. This is why I don't have any. Consequently I remain fit and well. Introduce me to a dog in the office and I would be off sick within hours. Get serious - taking a dog to work could have serious consequences for your colleagues, possibly life threatening if they have asthma which is pet triggered. It's just a non starter - has anyone actually thought this through?

Hilary -asks the question, "has anyone thought this through", the answer is yes. And earlier in the thread this is explained. The same could be said of anywhere that an allergen may be present! However, in workplaces, we have a duty to assess the risks. The to eliminate or control the risks. Not only has this been thought through, but assessed and carried out successfully in many workplace. All the offices I work from have pets in them. Ian

Invictus, is it house-trained? John

A horse is a different level of risk compared to a dog. A horse in an office environment would be dangerous, whether or not anyone was allergic to it. In many workplaces dogs, if controlled, are not a risk. Horses weeing and pooing are very different. You can get poo bags for dogs, but for a horse you would need a compost heap in the corner of the office. But seriously, here is what the HSE wrote in the Asthmagen Compendium. " Allergy to cats and dogs has also been reported, but because contact may occur outside of work it is not often possible to determine if such an allergy is occupational (Moller, 1990). " And they do not then make any other reference to cats and dogs. Small mammals on the other had are mentioned as they are known to be possible causes of allergic reactions in Laboratory workers. This is due to the particular actions of the antigens, especially in their bedding. I have had to deal with horse risks as well though, but this is to do with fitting saddles.