Dogs have been a popular feature at our global offices for many years with more than 10,000 dogs currently registered in the DAW program. With dogs in the workplace shown to lower stress levels[1], increase interactions and boost morale, the our teams in Australia were excited to introduce its pooch-friendly policy to our employees who have started returning to the office.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner Laura Nemaz said the DAW program is already proving a massive hit with employees, whose cute canine companions are joining the ranks in increasing numbers.
We love dogs at Amazon, and are thrilled to see our team embrace this new perk – both the ones with dogs and the ones who (like me) don’t have one but wish they did. Dogs add to our dynamic and collaborative workplace and we’ve found they are an unexpected mechanism for connection. It’s great to walk through the office, give the dogs a pat and have a chat with people I might not otherwise speak to regularly
Following a period where working from home was the only option for office workers, it comes as no surprise that for almost two thirds (64%) of Australian workers, a dog-friendly workplace would make a job more attractive to them.
Independent survey commissioned by Amazon Australia found almost a quarter (23%) of Australians welcomed a dog into their family during the pandemic, with seven out of ten (71%) dog owners who work saying they would love to be able to take their pup to work.
The survey also found that one in two dog owners who work (57%) agree that they feel anxious when they leave their dog at home alone, and more than half (57%) think their dog will struggle to adjust when they start going back into the office. Several studies have also demonstrated the positive impacts that dogs in the workplace offer, including research by the Virginia Commonwealth University, which found that dogs may reduce stress levels and make work more satisfying for employees.
When we announced our ‘Dogs at Work’ program in Sydney, King Charles Cavalier owner Laura Pardal, General Manager and Category Leader, Consumables jumped at the chance to bring her best friend to work. “I love being able to bring Kevin to work and he’s much happier spending less time alone. What’s surprised me the most is how great it has been for meeting people from all over the business. There are so many people who I’ve now gotten to know because they stop past my desk to say hello to Kevin and scratch his belly.”
Gerry Gimenez, Senior Category Merchant Manager said, “After working from home for 1.5 years and constantly being around my dog, I really didn’t want to start leaving him home alone all day. The DAW program works really well for me, and has helped with peace of mind in the office as I can get on with my work without worrying about what my pup is up to at home.”
The most popular dog breeds among our employees are Labradors and King Charles Cavaliers. Other breeds that have already been registered to the program include Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Vizslas, Border Collies, French Bulldogs, Samoyeds, and Boston Terriers.
