Table 2.

Knowledge gaps and suggested research topics related to the accommodation of dogs in the workplace.

Focus Area	Research Topics
Human Resource Management	Develop tools (e.g., surveys or interviews) for assessing the potential impact of dogs in the workplace on employees and operations. Develop tools (e.g., surveys or interviews) for assessing the attitudes and perceptions of employees in dog-friendly workplaces. Assess what policies and practices are being implemented in dog-friendly workplaces to accommodate employees with dog fears or phobias. Assess what policies and practices are being implemented in workplaces that permit dogs but also have employees with pet dander allergies. Assess the impact of the presence of dogs in the workplace on employee relations.
Occupational Health and Safety	Conduct surveillance or epidemiological research studies to document the prevalence and severity of injuries and zoonotic diseases in workplace settings where pets are present. Evaluate the effectiveness of safety and health precautions currently being implemented by workplaces that permit animals and identify and best practices. Develop tools or methods that can be used to assess the hazards, risks, and impact of dogs in the workplace. Identify/assess the potential hazards and risks of dogs in the workplace, including the risk of zoonotic diseases. Identify and evaluate specific engineering or administrative controls that reduce the hazards and risks associated with dogs in the workplace. Evaluate the effectiveness of specific safety and health controls (e.g., high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to reduce dog dander in workplace settings).
Behavioral and Social Science	Investigate the impact of the presence of dogs in the workplace on employee morale, productivity, and well-being. Examine whether dogs in the workplace improve the attitudes, mood, perceptions, and performance of employees. Investigate the effect of dog-friendly work policies on organization climate/culture and employees‘ perceptions of the organization and working conditions. Evaluate the effects of dog-friendly policies on the public‘s perceptions of the company.