Do you think it's unprofessional to have pets in the workplace?

Question

My boss has 3 of his 4 children working with him, and his daughter always has her little chihuahua at work with her. I love dogs, don't get me wrong, but I just think it's unprofessional. At times the dog has crapped or peed on the floor (once right in front of my office door and I REFUSED to clean it up). If you came into a meeting to discuss a loan or selling your business to my boss (happens frequently), what would you think if you saw a dog running around?According to company policy, I am not supposed to bring my daughter to work with me because this is not a day care center. But the boss' daughter can bring her dog? A different set of rules for the boss' family I suppose. Thoughts?

Answer 1

call the health department anonymously
say that you saw a big, bug eyed rat, that is leaving droppings

Answer 2

Maybe the daughter thinks that because her father is the boss she can do whatever she wants. If I went into a business and saw a dog randomly running around and it wasn't there to assist the blind or disabled I would think it was unprofessional. The reason people can't have their children in the work place is because of insurance reasons, wouldn't a pet be the same??

Answer 3

I believe that it is wrong to bring your pet to work. If i were you I wouldn't have cleaned it up either. I also believe that it creates a distraction and takes away from an inhabitable work environment. I have had this happen before and was not happy about it. What if someone is allergic to the animal, wouldn't that be putting your employees at risk? But of course the boss's family is an exception and this will most likely continue to happen so if you don't want to be around it the only option you have is to quit.

Answer 4

I'm a little puzzled that you're accepting of the fact that he brings the brats in, but are quibbling about the dog?

I think it's objectionable that he brings the kiddies in but you cannot - at least if that's done on a regular basis.

If I were a client, I'd be bothered more by the toddlers than the dog.

On the whole, I'd enjoy going to an office where a pet is hanging out. I'd think it was cool. But not kids!

Answer 5

I work in a boarding school, where many members of staff have well-trained and friendly dogs who accompany them to class. The dogs are a great comfort to pupils, especially to younger ones, or to those newly arrived, who may be missing home.
Such comfort and communication goes beyond words.

If I went into an office where pets were present, I would think that it was the sort of business capable of taking personal needs into account, and was capable of thinking beyond petty restrictions.

But I would certainly expect the owner to clear up after the dog - which I would also expect to be properly trained and exercised so that it wouldn't happen in the first place!

Answer 6

Unless you work for a vet, it is extremely unprofessional, and there may even be health department code violations occuring. You may want to check with your local ordinances regarding pets in public places and the workplace. There may be laws against it unless it is a seeing eye dog. Something nobody uses a chihuahua for.

Personally, if it was me, I'd be putting doggie poop found on the floor on the girl's desk, chair, or anywhere else it will annoy the heck out of her. Because the smell would drive me insane after a few minutes.

That, or find another job.

Answer 7

Very unprofessional, but I'm guessing that professionalism isn't very important to your bosses. It doesn't sound like a place that I'd want to work for.

There is a small town near where I live where it seems okay to me to have pets in the workplace. It is a tiny little liberal arts college town that is very relaxed. Only small independent shops are allowed and it's a very "artsy" type of town. It's common to see cats wandering around inside the stores, but I've never smelled them. Still, because of the unique nature of the town, it's expected and accepted as one of their many quirks that make the town endearing.

Answer 8

U could always point it out to him and show him the messes the dog makes. Only fish or something caged would be what I would allow in the work place not a dog or cat.
If the employee was blind and had a seeing eye dog I would be fine with it. I weren't want the guy running into things b/c I weren't let the dog come.

Answer 9

I agree with you-having pets such as, e.g. pet pooches around can distract from the real work.

Are you the only employee? If not maybe you can talk to others about this. Unless its in your contract you shouldn't be expected to clean up after a pet as its not a work related thing!!!!

The only pets I will accept in a working environment is a fish tank for the calming effect it has on people.

Answer 10

I think that when the boss brings their dog in that it can create a friendlier atmosphere for the staff. It makes the boss look approachable. But it's not the boss; it's his daughter...with an untrained dog. I think it makes her look weak to bring in her dog and it makes your boss look weak because he didn't tell her no.
I think she's a spoiled brat. I do like your comparison of your own child to the dog. Looks the same to me.

Answer 11

I think it's really unprofessional. Can you imagine potential clients or clients for that matter walking into that.....wouldn't be good for business. I definately wouldn't CLEAN up the mess either. .....good going. I've worked with a family runned business and never had that experience.......if so, I probably would have looked for another job. I like working in a PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT.