The Richard Spooner Column: Are they barking mad..?

Dog lovers are sharpening their claws for what might become a serious bone of contention for businesses in the near future.

The pandemic has led to companies being pressured into allowing staff to take their pet pooches into the office, according to a poll undertaken by PowWowNow (yes!), an online meeting provider for SMEs.

It concludes that 52 per cent of remote workers in Birmingham think dogs in the office would be a good policy. It also found that 62 per cent of home workers who use video conference calls for their jobs had been interrupted by a dog. Almost a third (32 per cent) said having their pet dog at their feet in work would make them happier.

I can certainly confirm that my experience has given us a laugh, sometimes at colleagues ' expense. Two of mine have dogs called Willow and one ate a dining room chair while his owner was busy on a call.

No such mayhem for another colleague who owns several cats. Pudsey, whose one eye is testament to several local battles with local feline (or canine) adversaries, often joins our morning conference calls. He makes his presence known by marching between his owner and the camera but rarely contributes to the conversation.

As dog sales have soared during the pandemic, with people returning to the office in the not-too-distant future, the findings reveal that 53 per cent of those from Birmingham are also more likely to apply for a job if a company allowed dogs in the workplace.

The findings also showed that 53 per cent of remote workers in Birmingham had been interrupted on a work video call by a dog and 40 per cent said this had or would increase their happiness levels were it to happen.

Apparently, over half (52 per cent) of women think allowing dogs in the office is a good policy compared to men (37 per cent). Women (51 per cent) are also more likely than men (37 per cent) to apply for a job at a company that allows dogs in the workplace.

According to the research, the top five professions in favour of a policy that allows dogs in the office are:

• Energy and utilities (66 per cent)
• Environment and agriculture (65 per cent)
• Law enforcement and security (64 per cent)
• Marketing, advertising and PR (63 per cent)
• Hospitality and events management (62 per cent)

Meanwhile, it 's surprising to learn that those who work in legal professions (55 per cent) were most against dogs in the office.

I can understand their reluctance but surely they would be rubbing their hands together at the prospect dogs running amok, causing damage and injury.

Where would it all stop? How could an employer allowing dogs in turn down cats, snakes, hamsters, budgies or any other earthly creature..?