Amid the doom and gloom of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, there is one theme that always raises cheer when it comes to news – a good ole dog story.
Leaders at recruitment firm Core-Asset Consulting have recently been raving about the benefits of offering employees a dog-friendly workplace, in a bid to help staff reduce stress levels and encourage more people to come into the office.
The Edinburgh-based company has transformed its office into a place that’s suitable for four-legged friends and by the looks of the smiles on staff faces, it seems to be working out well.
In fact, there are various companies now organising ‘Take your dog to work days,’ kick-starting a trend that it is hoped will help retain and accommodate employees who have the responsibility of looking after an animal at home.
The research is clear – various studies have shown that pets can bring a host of benefits to the workplace, creating a happier environment and making work more satisfying for employees. Aside from the data though, there’s no denying that for animal lovers, pets can instantly brighten your day and make an individual feel calmer – even just by petting them.
Core-Asset Consulting says that introducing pets into the office also offers their staff members a reason to take desk breaks, which can be vital to both physical and mental health.
Looking to the future, the move toward pet-friendly workspaces might seem like an obvious way for businesses to evolve in a post-lockdown world, after statistics have shown soaring numbers of people acquiring a pet since the start of the pandemic.
Figures produced by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association show 3.2 million households in the UK have bought or adopted a pet since March 2020, now contributing to the 34 million pets in the UK across 17 million households.
Unfortunately though, as people start to readjust and make their way back to the workplace, some animals are now being left abandoned, as rising costs make it more difficult for people to pay for doggy daycare and dog walking services while they’re not at home.
Yet, while embracing having pets in the office might seem like a no-brainer, it’s worth noting that some business leaders should also consider the challenges that could emerge as a result.
As much as I hate to be a party pooper, when it comes to allowing dogs in the office, there’s the possibility of them also becoming a serious cause of distraction. After all, I think we’ve all gone a bit googly-eyed whilst zoning out on what’s being discussed as a cute puppy suddenly appears on a Teams call.
Another thing that’s key to consider is whether all staff members would even feel comfortable having canines roaming about their workspace. What if someone has a crushing fear of dogs and is too embarrassed to admit it? Or perhaps a debilitating pet hair allergy?
It’s tempting for bosses to be persuaded by the argument that a dog-friendly policy will create an environment full of cheery, upbeat staff who have well-behaved dogs that will quietly sit under their desk until it comes to the lunchtime walk.
The fact is, allowing four legged friends into work might not always be plain sailing, as barking, dog fights and in worse case scenarios – biting – could potentially lead to legal matters.
It’s also worth mentioning how the dogs might feel about the situation. While some pooches might love the idea of lounging about an office, more active dogs might find the idea gnawingly boring – leading to problem behaviour such as chewing chair legs or yapping to get their owner’s attention.
On the other hand, it could also help promote good socialisation among dogs and help prevent separation anxiety for pets that hate being left at home for long periods of time.
If you’re a business owner like me, I’d say it’s important to consider all options before going down the dog-friendly work route. Nonetheless, it’s impressive to see so many businesses adapting to the new ways of working and continuously creating innovative ways to ensure inclusive ways of staff working after a difficult few years.
When it comes to boosting wellness in the workplace, this is one to paws for thought.
Scottish Offices Are Barking Up the Right Tree
It may seem like there are few positives these days in regard to the economy and state of the nation – but I was pleasantly surprised when I read Colliers’ latest Scotland Snapshot.
It turns out that Scottish commercial real estate has achieved a four-year high in the first six months of this year, with Q1 and Q2 in most sectors being particularly strong.
What fascinated me was the office investment market, which the report revealed was surprisingly above the five-year quarterly average at £700 million in comparison to £550 million. This was in the second quarter alone.
As a result of the pandemic, the nationwide fear was that office buildings would lie empty, and cities would be deserted as the volume of people working from home increased and the likelihood of people fully returning to the office was low.
However, the report highlights that this is simply not the case. Companies, including interest from overseas businesses, have prioritised budget spending on large office purchases and in fact Scotland’s largest ever office transaction took place earlier this year at Glasgow’s 177 Bothwell Street.
It’s not just in Glasgow that real estate is booming. Savills believe 2022 will see the strongest office letting activity in Aberdeen in eight years.
The report suggests there could be a slowdown in the coming months, however the first half of the year has been especially strong and as we know it can be hard to predict the future. The rest of this year may take a dip, however with impressive stats so far and record-breaking highs, it’s safe to say it’s been a good start.
I’m an advocate for office working and it appears that businesses are seeing it as a worthwhile investment again too.
It Made Me Laugh
One-Man Show Goes Viral at the Fringe
It’s refreshing to see the streets of Edinburgh busy again at this time of the year thanks to the return of the Edinburgh Fringe after a two-year break.
2019 was the festival’s biggest ever fringe, however venues are reporting a surge in tickets for this year.
Despite it being busy, comedian Robin Grainger faced only having one person come to visit his opening show this year. Unphased, Robin pressed on, performing to his audience of one.
Since then, the story has gone viral and the comedian’s phone has not stopped ringing, with the majority of his shows reaching near capacity – which is exactly why I love the Fringe.
The event itself can have its problems, however its benefits to the city are huge, and it’s great to see it return once again.
It Made Me Weep
Exam Results Dip Adds to Student Stress
Last Tuesday, school pupils received their exam results from the SQA, and it was announced that pass rates for Scottish pupils had fallen significantly.
This coincides with the end of teacher-led grading, which was introduced during the pandemic due to exams being unable to take place.
Unfortunately, the Highers pass rate, which tends to be used for attaining acceptance into university, fell by more than ten per cent compared to last year, as did the National 5’s rate.
With exams set to return, there is a forecast that pass rates will return to some normality, however my advice to pupils would be that exam results aren’t everything.
There are plenty of opportunities outwith college and university routes like apprenticeships, so if you didn’t get the grades you needed or wanted, don’t panic.
