The officials of Braine-l’Alleud have been given permission to bring their pets to work, which has both advantages and disadvantages. Vinciane Vrielinck brings her dog, Mochi, to work twice a week as she felt guilty leaving him at home for long hours. She finds his presence calming and stress-relieving. This trend originated in the US and studies show that it can enhance the well-being of employees. The Mayor, Vincent Scourneau, has allowed three dogs on three separate floors under certain conditions including vaccination, acceptance by colleagues, and a calm demeanor. However, ponies, parrots, and rodents are not allowed. This concept has been adopted by other companies.
The municipality of Braine-l’Alleud allows its officials to come to work with their pet. What are the pros and cons of this idea?
Mochi, a dog, accompanies Vinciane, his mistress to the office twice a week. “I have days that are still quite long. It’s a little scary and stressful. We say to ourselves that he is alone at home and that it must not be nice for him”, explains Vinciane Vrielinck. “Having him here also calms me down. He is wise and calm.”
The trend comes from the United States. Several American studies show that taking your dog to work improves the well-being of employees.
“I saw this on an American television channel and I was quite inspired because the show showed that there was a quality of life at work which was reinforced by the presence of dogs.“, explains Vincent Scourneau, mayor of Braine-l’Alleud.
At the moment, they are three dogs spread over three floors. But there are some conditions to respect. The dog must be in order of vaccination, it must be calm and accepted by the colleagues, details the mayor.
The mayor of Braine-l’Alleud specifies that ponies, parrots and rodents are not permitted.
The original concept has already been taken up by other companies.
In conclusion, allowing employees to bring their pets to work is a trend that originated in the United States, and is slowly making its way to other countries. The municipality of Braine-l’Alleud, in Belgium, has already implemented this idea, allowing dogs to accompany their owners to work. While there are some conditions that must be respected, such as vaccinations and acceptance by colleagues, the benefits, such as increased well-being and reduced stress, make it a worthwhile concept to consider. However, it’s important to remember that not all pets are suitable for a workplace, and it’s crucial to establish proper guidelines and regulations to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.
