Are dog-friendly spaces the best flex places?

LIFE / 16 MAY 2024

It seems our four-legged friends are loving the flex life just as much as we are. With doggy bowls, comfy beds, cuddles and treats aplenty, there’s good reason to bring your pup to the workplace (if permitted). As the work hard, pet hard mentality picks up pace, we’re questioning whether dog-friendly spaces truly make the best flex places?

Stress free or Stress-y

It's no secret that spending time with dogs can have a calming and paw-sitive effect on our minds. Pups have long been proven to lower cortisol levels, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. No wonder, operators like Mindspace, X+Why and Workpad have embraced the tail-wagging trend. However, that blissful bubble of relaxation, and so-called productivity is popped by your pup the moment it requires a bathroom break. If you want to use the restroom yourself, think again. One minute you’re deep in Powerpoint, typing-up a pitch deck, the next you’re fumbling inside a polyethylene bag and searching for the nearest bin. Remember, this isn’t just a one-off toilet-trip. You’re actively choosing to punctuate your day with several moments of disturbance and disruption. You may be upping your daily steps but you’re certainly lowering your daily grid.

PS. No matter how well potty-trained your dog is, accidents can happen. Add to this the joys of shedding and the lingering aroma of eau de wet dog. Maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the workspace now falls on your hands. Do you really want all this additional stress?

Socialisation

Believe it or not, not everyone is a dog person (outrageous, we know). There are individuals in the office who may have allergies or simply feel uncomfortable around dogs. This is not to say that furry friends can’t foster a sense of camaraderie and creativity. Of course, flex providers like LABS, Huckletree, Runway East and WeWork welcome dogs with the very intention of breaking down social barriers and encouraging collaboration amongst their co-working members.

And yet, allowing dogs to roam freely around a flex space can create an environment that is unwelcoming and anxiety-inducing for certain tenants. Whilst operators like Uncommon and Work.Life carefully caveat the experience, requesting that all dogs be kept on leads, the presence of certain canines can impact overall well-being and deter socialisation within breakout spaces. Likewise, bringing dogs into the office can inadvertently create an awkward divide within individual companies. That is, those employees who are dog owners may feel entitled to special privileges or accommodations, breeding resentments faster than you can say ‘sit’. In some cases, this can foster a sense of exclusion and undermine team cohesion, ultimately detracting from the collaborative and inclusive environment that such flex spaces strive to nurture.

Focus

Perhaps you have no problem focussing on work alongside your fluffy neighbour. Operators, like The Ministry in Borough, may be capable of alleviating your pressure, with dog walking services available on tap. But, if your ‘well-behaved’ dog barks, whines, or exhibits other disruptive behaviours this can certainly distract your co-workers and disrupt the flow of labour. Even the friendliest of dogs are unpredictable creatures, they can become agitated or territorial in unfamiliar surroundings, potentially leading to conflicts or more smelly mishaps.

So, maybe it’s time to give operators (and ourselves) a harsh reality check. Whilst the allure of furry companionship is undeniable, the realities of maintaining a productive and harmonious flex space shouldn't be overlooked. Yes, we can all afford a boost of serotonin, a motivational mascot and a lunch break spent in the park, but sometimes it might be best for all to leave our furry friends behind.

16 May 2024