Dogs at work?

scheming_gypsy

evidence of an allergy? i'm allergic to cats but the only evidence you'll ever get is if i'm in the room with one. You don't get a certificate and badge to say you're allergic to dogs

skater_kat

what if a person with a guide dog started work in her office?

Owain_Moneysaver

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

evidence of an allergy? i'm allergic to cats but the only evidence you'll ever get is if i'm in the room with one. You don't get a certificate and badge to say you're allergic to dogs

Employer / Army sends OP's friend to Occupational Health for allergy testing.

Allergy test comes back clear.

OP's friend then has an uncomfortable interview with Manager.

Perhaps the OP's friend should actually see her Doctor - for referral for some therapy to address the phobia.

scheming_gypsy

Pretty sure they can't just send you off for allergy testing because they feel like it.

lollipopsarah

Just a thought, but is this just a take your dog to work day (one day that is)
in which case maybe she could change a shift or take a holiday day.
Failing that, but sorry she needs to face up and talk to a superviser/superier bod and they should respect her fears and deal with them.
Best wishes
xx

Caroline73_2

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Employer / Army sends OP's friend to Occupational Health for allergy testing.

Allergy test comes back clear.

OP's friend then has an uncomfortable interview with Manager.

Perhaps the OP's friend should actually see her Doctor - for referral for some therapy to address the phobia.

allergy testing isn't 100% accurate. I suffer an anaphylactic reaction to fish but testing shows up negative, give me a tuna sandwich and there is no question about my allergy.

personally I don't think the workplace is suitable for pets. Why allow dogs but not cats, hamsters or a chinchilla? How does it work is it one dog per staff member? What breeds are acceptable? In a fire are people without dogs allowed out first?

Guide dogs are completely different though.

Lovelyjoolz

Thinking I'm going to introduce a 'Bring your Llama to work day'. We could race them in the car park at lunchtime.

Person_one

fluffnutter wrote: »

I asked her whether she was prepared to tell a little white lie and say she had an allergy. I think her worry is that she thinks she's not got a good enough reason (she thinks it's her problem that she's phobic) and hence won't be taken very seriously. She also feels very intimidated by (as Starrystarrynight put it) by 'Army tradition'. As far as I can tell (from previous experience and from some posts on here) it's not uncommon in the military to have dogs at work. TBH, they do sort of make up their own rules sometimes (and why not?). The problem only occurs when they've got someone who doesn't want to play ball. And in this case, that's my mate.

Lying about allergies is not on, enough people think they're all made up anyway, this really undermines the people who genuinely have them and reinforces the idea that they're just an excuse for not doing something.

I think she should ask to work in an area where there aren't any dogs, that would go over better than demanding the dogs are removed.

Cheeky_Monkey

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

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

Judging by the 'thanks', this seems to be the most popular solution :T :rotfl:

LudaMusser

I really feel for your friend. I would hate to work in an office if people were allowed to bring their dogs to work. I can`t stand that smell of 'dog', makes me want to be sick. Dog owners can`t smell it anymore, just ask my dad. His house stinks of dog, it`s vile