Dogs at work?

fluffnutter

My friend's just phoned me close to tears.

She works on a military base (she's a civilian) and the department where she works has recently been told they can bring their dogs to work. She's absolutely petrified of dogs and has spent much of this week upset and unnerved.

She feels unable to raise this, citing that 'It's the Army. They care more about the soldiers' dogs than they do me, my opinion doesn't matter' but I don't feel it's fair that she should spend all day with dogs if she doesn't like them.

Any thoughts?

Jarndyce

What do people seriously expect to be advised if they are saying that they aren't able to raise issues with the employer?

She either raises it or she doesn't. I would advise her raise it - it is a genuine issue - the employer has a duty of care to staff, not their dogs, and if her health or state of mind will suffer as a result she has a right to expect that duty to be upheld.

But if she doesn't raise it, nothing will happen.

fluffnutter

Jarndyce wrote: »

What do people seriously expect to be advised if they are saying that they aren't able to raise issues with the employer?

She either raises it or she doesn't. I would advise her raise it - it is a genuine issue - the employer has a duty of care to staff, not their dogs, and if her health or state of mind will suffer as a result she has a right to expect that duty to be upheld.

But if she doesn't raise it, nothing will happen.

I tend to agree with you. But then I'm confident. She's not. I'm struggling to find an understanding and sympathetic way of saying 'stick up for yourself, woman!'.

Jarndyce

fluffnutter wrote: »

I tend to agree with you. But then I'm confident. She's not. I'm struggling to find an understanding and sympathetic way of saying 'stick up for yourself, woman!'.

Is she in the union? Can she not even speak to her manager?

Makes you wonder how she's survived in that environment at all - all sergeant majors and shouting.

scheming_gypsy

fluffnutter wrote: »

I tend to agree with you. But then I'm confident. She's not. I'm struggling to find an understanding and sympathetic way of saying 'stick up for yourself, woman!'.

don't find an understanding and sympathetc way then. I find it's a lot more effective if you say what you want to say.
Just tell her straight that if she doesn't tell anybody that she's petrified of dogs then they'll never know she is. Then call her a soft cow and nut her

WastingMyTime

Under what reason(s) is the Army allowing dogs into the department? They may have a valid reason, or not. She needs to know because then it will identify what she can/can't do about it.

fluffnutter

WastingMyTime wrote: »

Under what reason(s) is the Army allowing dogs into the department? They may have a valid reason, or not. She needs to know because then it will identify what she can/can't do about it.

I'm assuming it's simply because people like their pets around (it's just an office after all) and not because they're training them to be spies or anything.

jazzyman01

Ex military and we always took our dogs into work. That said I did check that everyone was happy to have my pooch present. She spend the time under my desk and only came out when I took her out for a walk etc.

Perhaps she should talk to her colleagues and let them know she has a deep fear of dogs?

WastingMyTime

fluffnutter wrote: »

I'm assuming it's simply because people like their pets around (it's just an office after all) and not because they're training them to be spies or anything.

Thank you.

It sounds as if she doesn't have all the information that she needs. It might be because of her fear of dogs she has only focus on one part of the policy change.

It would be wise to know if the dogs that are allowed in the department will be either 'pet' dogs or Army dogs. Do you know???

I do advise that she needs to go and speak to the person who is responsible for her work; to obtain further details and also to let them know that she is uncomfortable around dogs.

You may need to coach her in what to say and let her practice on you a few times.

Having the details will enable her to put forward a convincing case as why the policy change could have detrimental affect on the work productivity. As you say, they may not be a valid reason and hence unnecessary (not trained to be spies) but they may have a valid reason (office in a K9 dept?) and she needs to know why.

lizzywig

I used to be petrified of dogs, much better around them now but I still wouldn't like to work with them every day. I'd be watching them all the time and not getting any work done. Perhaps you could point this out to your friend, that if she doesn't say anything that there is nothing that can be done and then how is she going to get any work done. She must have a nice work person who she can confide in, there are plenty of people who don't like various animals and wouldn't want to work with them on a daily basis. You could also say to your friend that maybe other people feel the same way but are also too worried to say anything, I'm sure she's worried about being the only person and causing problems.

heretolearn_2

How can she moan about them not taking her feelings into account, when she's not told them how she feels? I get the feeling she isn't going to do anything anyway, just wants a shoulder to moan on, otherwise she wouldn't be coming out with silly things like that. I understand someone not having the confidence to speak up, but not someone moaning because their employer isn't psychic! She's not seriously wanting to tackle the issue, she's just venting.

So just say 'there there' and leave it at that.