The dog days are just beginning for some employees (in a good way!)

Efforts to improve employee satisfaction don't always have to be tied to pay increases, according to a recent article by Business and Legal Resources. There are many ways to show staff members they are appreciated without increasing the amount of wages they are issued for their time and attendance, such as offering telecommuting freedom and allowing employees to bring their pets to work.

Yes, that's right - a handful of companies host a bring-your-dog-to-work-day, and not just once a year, but all the time, the source reports. Workplaces such as Yahoo and Google have developed pet-friendly environments and reaped a number of benefits.

Attorney Richard Meneghello told the source that when companies instate these types of policies, they often find employees are willing to stay later because they don't have to rush home to let their animals out. Moreover, these allowances can cut back on pet-sitting or dog walking costs and reduce on-the-job stress.

"We know that people derive great comfort from pets, so allowing dogs in the workplace is in the same vein as providing snack centers, workout centers, couch rooms, and the like," Meneghello told the source.

However, companies must consider how these changes could impact their payroll policies and they will need to draft new employee guidelines. For instance, they will need to be prepared to answer questions, such as whether time spent walking or feeding animals is considered compensable, or what to do if it cuts into break times that would otherwise be reserved for meals or coffee runs.


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