If you don't want to work around dogs, your employer should accommodate that. But it's also worth considering that it sounds like you have a phobia, and phobias are a curable condition. It would help you going forward if you weren't afraid of dogs. If getting bitten by a dog in the workplace was a significant risk, your employer's insurance would not allow them to put dogs in the workplace. A psychologist could help you with this issue, if you want help.
Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
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Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#22 I had a job where it was okay to bring your dog in - my dog was well-behaved, more quiet and lazy than anything. She'd just sit under my desk the whole day, just like she would if we were at home. She'd get up and wander around if I went to use the bathroom or to the kitchen, and being 130lbs she would startle people.
On the other hand, a co-worker would bring her dog in and the thing would non-stop run around the office, sliding into things, barking incessantly, knocking over and digging through trash cans...
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#23I'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.
Having a phobia is by definition not reasonable.
Dislike of dogs is also partly cultural.
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#24If you don't want to work around dogs, your employer should accommodate that. But it's also worth considering that it sounds like you have a phobia, and phobias are a curable condition. It would help you going forward if you weren't afraid of dogs. If getting bitten by a dog in the workplace was a significant risk, your employer's insurance would not allow them to put dogs in the workplace. A psychologist could help…
It can be that the person doesn't like dogs because it's kind of gross. Smell your hand after petting one. I like dogs though.
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#25We have a pet policy at work. One dog at a time, it can't be a large dog, must be well behaved and...
... if anyone has a problem with the pet policy it may need to be canceled.
It's fun having dogs at work, but it's pretty sensible for a company to place its employees before their pets. Raise your concern - it's not unusual to be uncomfortable around animals.
If it's not a deathly fear though, I suggest trying to be open minded about it. Most of the dogs in our office pretty much sleep or stay near their owner 99% of the day. They only perk up when food is around or the UPS guy comes by ;)
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#26If you don't want to work around dogs, your employer should accommodate that. But it's also worth considering that it sounds like you have a phobia, and phobias are a curable condition. It would help you going forward if you weren't afraid of dogs. If getting bitten by a dog in the workplace was a significant risk, your employer's insurance would not allow them to put dogs in the workplace. A psychologist could help…
It can be that the person doesn't like dogs because it's kind of gross. Smell your hand after petting one. I like dogs though.
You have a very low threshold for what is considered gross. That's just the tip of the iceberg with pets! (and babies)
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#27I'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.
I'm uncomfortable around (and supremely irritated by) human babies, but it's pretty common to let people bring their awful babies into an office. Those babies don't work here, and they have no business being here, but I guess human parents feel they have some legitimate reason to bring them to work. In a fair world, I don't see how dogs are any different.
They bring them to work, set them in a bouncer, and then proceed to work the entire day while the baby is there?
The most I've ever seen is a few minutes of someone bring in their child to show some co-workers before after heading out to lunch or home.
If someone is bringing their baby in while they are working for the whole day, I think it would be reasonable to ask them to find child care options.
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#28Get proper documentation of the phobia from an appropriately licensed medical practitioner. a) It'll be a good first step towards resolution of the phobia itself, and b) you'll probably need it for making your case in the office.
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#29I've found that generally my managers are pretty approachable and I've never had any fears of expressing concerns I have with them during my bi-weekly or monthly 1:1 sessions.
If you're not having 1:1 sessions with your manager, you should be. It's a great way to nip issues in the bud before they become unmanageable.
Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?
#30Earlier 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?
Having worked two places where this was possible, there's a number of advantages.
Everyone in the office became a fan of the mutt, and I had lots of volunteers for lunchtime walks! Including the lady who was wary of German Shepherds at the start, who ended up curing her phobia "Oh it's only him, he's harmless".
He'd sleep near the desk until someone came over to talk to him, and as a result I wasn't clock watching quite so much (must go, dog needs out). A few heads would sometimes turn when he was having a drink (not so quiet). If I was away from desk he'd just go and settle near one of his other friends.
I felt much better towards both employers as a result.
A lot is going to depend on how well trained they are - lots of barking and running around will drive everyone crazy. Me included.