Putting on the dog - Thai ad agency employees bring pets to work

By Jiraporn Kuhakan and Panu Wongcha-um

 

Jirmas holds a dog as she works in an office of a digital advertising agency which promotes bring-your-dog-to-work in Bangkok, Thailand September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Nimo bounds out of a car in a rush to get to work at a Bangkok advertising agency, but Nimo is no ordinary employee.

 

He's a dog.

 

The brown-haired husky accompanies his owner, Thimpaporn Phopipat, to work everyday at digital advertising agency YDM in the Thai capital.

 

"Since I already love dogs, it really made me want to work here," said Thimaporn, 29, a digital public relations manager who also takes along her chihuahua, Muu Pan.

 

The bring-your-dog-to-work trend is gaining momentum in Thailand, particularly at companies like advertisement firms that are known to require irregular work hours.

 

The policy can help to alleviate stress, as well as attract, and retain, employees, say some.

 

Other advertisement agencies in the Thai capital have dog-friendly policies but YDM, with nearly 200 employees and 20 pet dogs, is by far the largest to adopt the scheme.

 

Several studies point to the benefits of dogs in the workplace, but a May 2017 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health warned against hazards such as allergies and animal-borne diseases.

 

The same report said pets could help to buffer stress at work, however.

 

Even those who don't bring their pets to work say other people's pets help colleagues to bond better.

 

"Sometimes things can get chaotic, but it's a good kind of chaos, because it makes me happy and relaxed," said Jitramas Watana-ug, 31, a YDM account manager.

 

Agency owner Anankarat Kongpanichkul, 42, introduced the dog-friendly policy when she founded YDM eight years ago.

 

"For me it is very joyful, it feels like this is a home," Anankanart said.

 

(Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Clarence Fernandez)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-02

32 minutes ago, webfact said:

Several studies point to the benefits of dogs in the workplace, but a May 2017 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health warned against hazards such as allergies and animal-borne diseases

Sorry you don't need your dogs when you actually working 

and now you can't get a job in this places if you don't like dog's 

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

For me it is very joyful, it feels like this is a home," Anankanart said

But you not home it is a working place 

Hiso trend 

I agree that an office isn’t your home per se.... but... I also think that employers, especially those thst want to have a competitive edge when vying for top talent potential employees - have got to be flexible and willing to look outside the box if you will, and create work environments that’s today’s generation employees want.

 

when I started working the idea of bring your dog to work would be unheard of and laughable..  but.. today I see why it’s offered and if i was an employer in today’s marketplace, and if I seeking to recruit and retain top talent, I’d be willing to explore ideas like bring your dog to work.  Just like today I see many offices that have well equipped employee break rooms - some with catered food, outside services etc..  all things that my dads office never had and would never had thought to offer.

 

i just think you have to adapt to the times and offer a workplace that today’s employees say they want.

 

 

Not a bad idea, if it keeps some dogs off the soi.

Of course, it could get interesting for Mrs Pam and her chihuahua, the day that Mr Somchai brings his rottweiler to the office.

Quite common in the USA now. Terrible for those of us with allergies. 

Cool, I'm taking my pet to work tomorrow!

 

What happens when someone brings their pet cat.