{"id":5305,"date":"2023-01-27T12:18:02","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T11:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.axa-eco.votre-projet.com\/?p=5305"},"modified":"2025-11-01T22:20:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T21:20:59","slug":"can-i-bring-my-pet-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.axa-assurancescollectives.fr\/en\/actualites\/can-i-bring-my-pet-to-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I bring my pet to work?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The \u201cpet-friendly workplace\u201d concept from the United States is gaining traction in France. There are benefits to be gained from welcoming employees\u2019 pets in the workplace, as long as some common-sense rules are applied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Are employees allowed to bring an animal to work?<\/h2>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\n\n
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In France, employers can choose whether or not to authorize employees to bring their pet to work. However, a company\u2019s internal rules may prohibit the practice,\u00a0<\/strong>and in some work environments, animals are forbidden due to risks to health or safety. This is the case for public buildings, healthcare facilities and businesses dealing with food.<\/p>\n

Before a company can accept pets at work, it must obtain the consent of the employee representative body \u2013 the Social and Economic Committee (SEC) \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>and check that having animals does not contravene the terms and conditions of the building\u2019s insurance policy.<\/p>\n

Note that 13% (1) of pet owners in companies with fewer than 10 employees already bring their four-legged companion to work.\u00a0And more than 40% (2) of French people think that companies should accept pets at work.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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What kind of pet is acceptable in an office?<\/h2>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\n\n
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In theory, any kind of house pet is compatible with office life.\u00a0<\/strong>In practice, most companies only accept cats and dogs (other than attack dogs and guard dogs).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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One can easily imagine extending the practice to other small-sized animals. Fish are one example, although they are not easy to transport. Small rodents like rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs could also adapt to life in an office if they are kept in a cage (otherwise, electrical cables are a risk), although sometimes strong odors may be a problem!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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As for birds such as parrots or parakeets, they should probably be avoided, since they tend to be noisy.
\nOf course, large animals like a pig or a horse would not be an option! Nor would reptiles (snakes and lizards) or spiders be welcome, since a fear of these types of animal is quite common.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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How can pets and coworkers live in harmony?<\/h2>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\n\n
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Companies should first check that employees consent to their coworker bringing a pet to the office, especially if they work in an open space.\u00a0It is important to ensure that none are allergic to dogs or cats, for example, or have a fear of them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Employers should also require any employee who brings their pet to work to sign a charter\u00a0<\/strong>in which they undertake to:<\/p>\n