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Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

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Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#1

Post by throwawaydog »

My employer will soon be merging two of its offices into a new site. The new space is open plan (desks, not cubicles) and will hold about 100 people. The other place has a 'bring your dog to work' policy, but I'm quite uncomfortable having dogs running around me.

Personally (and the opinion of others in my office) is that the idea that you'd bring your pets to work is rediculous, but from a quick browse of the Internet it seems to have mixed opinions.

Am I right to bring it up that the dog should go, or should I try not to make waves?

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#2

Post by cpersona »

I'm all for freedoms until they infringe on the freedoms of others. You shouldn't have to go to work in a place where you don't feel comfortable. Raise the issue. Any responsible and reasonable employer would either nix the policy or find a way to accommodate your situation in some way.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#4

Post by twunde »

Usually most people bringing in dogs are very considerate and the dogs are usually very well behaved (certainly won't bite you). I would talk to HR, it's possible that they may have some way of helping you deal with it, possibly a section of the space where dogs aren't allowed.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#6

Post by ecspike »

twunde wrote: post #4

Usually most people bringing in dogs are very considerate and the dogs are usually very well behaved (certainly won't bite you). I would talk to HR, it's possible that they may have some way of helping you deal with it, possibly a section of the space where dogs aren't allowed.

We have a dog policy at my work but you have to house the pet in a specified meeting room and only move it when in transit to walk the dog or leave. That also means that there's generally a limit of one dog at a time.

We also had someone who loved dogs but was deathly allergic.

Like everyone said, talk to HR. They will figure something out.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#7

Post by throwawaydog »

ecspike wrote: post #6
twunde wrote: post #4

Usually most people bringing in dogs are very considerate and the dogs are usually very well behaved (certainly won't bite you). I would talk to HR, it's possible that they may have some way of helping you deal with it, possibly a section of the space where dogs aren't allowed.

We have a dog policy at my work but you have to house the pet in a specified meeting room and only move it when in transit to walk the dog or leave. That also means that there's generally a limit of one dog at a time. We also had someone who loved dogs but was deathly allergic. Like everyone said, talk to HR. They will figure something out.

Thanks, sounds like just bringing it up would be fine (and hopefully doesn't end up labling me a dog hater!).

The whole pets policy seems crazy to me, what's to stop me bringing my SO to work because I enjoy her company.

Do you think it's just convenient for the owner, or is there something behind letting people bring pets to work?

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#8

Post by pcunite »

Pet owners always say, "Oh, he won't hurt anyone. Isn't he cute? Down fido! Down boy! He's just excited. Can I get you something to drink?"

The trouble is that animals act differently when the owner is not around. If possible, spray apple juice on your clothing before you leave for work that day. The animal will bite you, but you won't see it again after that.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#9

Post by eschutte2 »

throwawaydog wrote: post #7
ecspike wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have a dog policy at my work but you have to house the pet in a specified meeting room and only move it when in transit to walk the dog or leave. That also means that there's generally a limit of one dog at a time. We also had someone who loved dogs but was deathly allergic. Like everyone said, talk to HR. They will figure something out.

Thanks, sounds like just bringing it up would be fine (and hopefully doesn't end up labling me a dog hater!). The whole pets policy seems crazy to me, what's to stop me bringing my SO to work because I enjoy her company. Do you think it's just convenient for the owner, or is there something behind letting people bring pets to work?

I think it's as simple as some people (like me) just enjoy having dogs around in an office. I doubt it's much more convenient for the owners, but I bet they like having their dogs around.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#10

Post by placeybordeaux »

eschutte2 wrote: post #9
throwawaydog wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, sounds like just bringing it up would be fine (and hopefully doesn't end up labling me a dog hater!). The whole pets policy seems crazy to me, what's to stop me bringing my SO to work because I enjoy her company. Do you think it's just convenient for the owner, or is there something behind letting people bring pets to work?

I think it's as simple as some people (like me) just enjoy having dogs around in an office. I doubt it's much more convenient for the owners, but I bet they like having their dogs around.

My dog has separation anxiety to the tune of trying to escape the house if I leave it for more than an hour. When people are around he generally will just lay down and sleep. It'd be mighty convenient to be able to bring him to work.

Hopefully mine is an unusual case though.

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