2020 was a boon for a lot of dogs and their owners alike. Finding day care or dog walkers was no longer a priority, and animal intimacy flourished.
With adoption numbers strong in the state and people now returning to work, veterinary and animal-care specialists say the problem of finding affordable day care — as well as dealing with separation anxiety — is now a real concern.
For those businesses where every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day, employment law attorneys are imagining a number of “what if” situations that could arise in workplaces, and they say employers should consider creating pet policies before issues arise.
“People have become so used to being at home with their pets, and I think you’re going to see more employees asking for that workplace perk on a case-by-case basis,” says Lindsay Hamrick, Director of Shelter Outreach & Engagement for the Human Society.
Employment law attorney, Terri Pastori, acknowledges the difficulties many people have faced over the past year and agrees with Hamrick that there could be an increase in people asking to bring their dogs to work. A professed dog lover, Pastori says the issue of workplace pet policies is a timely topic.
As it stands, many businesses that allow pets already do not have formal policies spelling out expectations, she says.
“Working remotely has impacted the…
