We’ve launched our newest dog playground at our Sydney Park Street office. The tail-wagging initiative highlights our commitment to a pet-friendly workplace culture, and is an extension of our successful Dogs at Work (DAW) program.
New research commissioned by Amazon Australia shows that 69% of dog owners in Australia would love to bring their furry friend to the office. However, nearly nine in 10 of those who work (89%) confess they have concerns. Most commonly, owners are worried that their workplace isn’t set up for dogs (58%) and that there’s no nearby park or open space for their pooch to enjoy some fresh air or do their ‘business’ (28%).
At the new Park Street playground, dogs have a spacious and convenient area to roam within Amazon’s office premises. Designed in consultation with experts and Amazon dog owners, the state-of-the-art facilities include lush green grass in an open plan area, and a generous section for play and bathroom breaks. To ensure a safe environment for pooches throughout the day, the playground is secured by high fencing.
Benefits that aren’t just for dogs
Georgia Mitchell, Amazon Australia’s senior manager of Workplace Experience, said: “Our research found that 80% of workplaces in Australia don’t allow dogs, which is a shame when you look at the broader workplace benefits.
“Our dog playground provides a relaxed environment where Amazonians can catch up and connect with one another. We know that those chance meetings and informal interactions go far beyond in strengthening social bonds for the team. Dogs at work have positive impacts on productivity, innovation, and collaboration, all of which we are focused on enhancing through the workplace experiences we create.”
Support for more pet-friendly initiatives to boost workplace culture
According to the research, 69% of working Australians believe a dogs-in-the-office policy would enhance job enjoyment, while 62% say it would make them more inclined to work for an organisation. This highlights the strong desire for more pet-friendly workplaces and provides employers with an opportunity to have an edge when it comes to creating attractive workplace environments.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO supports a greater integration of pets into daily life, citing the mental and physical health benefits they bring. “We know pets bring many mental and physical health benefits. They’re vital companions and much-loved members of the family,” she said. “Particularly in the inner city where people don’t have big backyards to let pets roam during the day, flexible and inclusive policies that welcome pets into the workplace are a huge help.”
State Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich MP, urged the State Government to consider pet-friendly policies, highlighting Amazon’s leadership with the Dogs at Work playground. “We know companion animals improve health and mental health, and that doesn’t need to just be limited to the home,” he said.
About Amazon’s Dogs at Work program
Dog playgrounds are part of Amazon’s Dogs at Work (DAW) program, a global initiative that Amazon employees have embraced, with more than 10,000 paw-ticipants registered at Amazon offices around the world. The Sydney Park Street playground is the third of its kind in Australia and a continued extension of the highly successful DAW initiative.
How the research was done
The research was commissioned by DEC PR and Amazon, and conducted by Lonergan Research in accordance with the ISO 20252 standard. Lonergan Research surveyed 1,307 Australians 18+. Surveys were distributed throughout Australia including both capital city and non-capital city areas. The survey was conducted online amongst members of a permission-based panel, between 5 and 9 February 2024. After interviewing, data was weighted to the latest population estimates sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
