(Photo above: Luna and Reef | courtesy of G5)
If any company in Central Oregon takes For the Love of Dogs seriously it’s G5 based in Bend. G5, provider of Digital Experience Management (DXM) software and services for the property management sector and ranked among North America’s 500 fastest growing technology, media telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies boasts 40 G5 dogs among its 170 G5 employees.
According to Keeli Hyde at G5, “Bend is a dog loving town and G5 is dog loving company. We recognize the benefits of allowing employees the privilege of bringing their dogs to work (increased motivation/productivity, work-life balance and stress relief). It works because employee’s take personal responsibility, show respect for others and have fun at work, a few of our core values based behaviors here at G5. Dogs make people happy and we want our employees to be happy at work.”
Here’s some excerpts from For the Love of Dogs. Dogs at G5, the company’s best practices for allowing dogs at the office:
The benefits of allowing dogs at the office can include but is not limited to increased motivation, work-life flexibility and stress relief for employees (and their best friends). G5 recognizes and embraces this philosophy. In efforts to maintain a safe, healthy and productive work environment for all employees, dogs and their owners are asked to adhere to the following best practices.
• Behavior: G5 dogs should be well-behaved. (i.e. Not aggressive towards people or other dogs; do not growl or bark; do not bite; do not dig through garbage; do not steal food; do not jump up on people or desks.) Manners Matter especially for dogs in the workplace.
• Supervision: G5 dogs should be under the owner’s supervision at all times. They should not roam free without supervision.
• Potty Trained: G5 dogs must be potty-trained. Taking dogs out on little walks during your lunch/breaks can help eliminate accidents. Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up if their dog goes to the bathroom inside as well as responsible for repairing any damage done to G5 or personal property. G5 has a “three accidents and you’re out” policy. However, the dog can come back once he or she has been successfully potty trained.
• Hygiene: G5 dogs office should be clean and well-groomed to avoid excessive shedding and overall impact on the office. Dogs must be flea and tick-free. It is up to the dog owner to decide the best type of flea and tick program for their dog.
• “No-Go” Zones: In efforts to be sensitive to those who are allergic or afraid of dogs, dogs should not be taken in closed/confined spaces such as conference rooms and bathrooms.
Thanks for sharing G5. www.GetG5.com
1 Comment
It’s nice that some companies encourage this, but a far greater need in this area is for rental properties that allow dogs and cats. Even most of the ones that ‘welcome’ pets charge such a prohibitive fee for each pet as to make it impossible, and sometimes just allow one pet so the owner with two has a very hard decision to make. Either the renters simply can’t afford the fee or don’t want to give up the furry member of the family so keep looking; or in many sad cases give up a pet so the human family can have a roof over its head. This is also true when someone has to go into a care facility, when their pet might be one of the most important things in that person’s life..
When these dogs and cats end up at a traditional shelter, often the shelter is at capacity, and either the newcomer or another animal just as deserving of life that has outstayed its welcome will be put down to make room.
As part of a no-kill group that cares for and adopts out cats that often come to us for this reason, the sad truth is that this is terribly traumatic for the cat as well as the family members, especially children and seniors.
There has to be a better way.