Company bow-wows to workers' pet needs

At GreenMarketplace.com in Squirrel Hill, every dog has its day, every day.

In other offices, workers say their ideal workplace includes a large desk space and a snack room. At the Squirrel Hill online retailer, the wish list of amenities extends to doggie beds, automated water bowls and tail-proof power cords.

And health benefits that cover veterinary visits. And canines as co-workers.

The 3-month-old purveyor of natural personal-care, garden and pet products already allows its four employees to bring their dogs to the 1,200-square-foot office, and three dogs are regulars, "ruffing" it in their masters' workplace.

But come fall when the company expands and hires at least 20 more people, the new doggie-specific features will be in.

Friday is the first national "Take Your Dog to Work Day," and GreenMarketplace.com is the only Pittsburgh company that has signed on to participate.

Josh Knauer, the company founder and CEO, said he started allowing dogs at the office so his puppies could keep him company. But he said the dog-friendly policies now have more to do with attracting and retaining employees in a dog-eat-dog world.

"In an industry where it's very competitive to keep employees, a work environment has to be open and positive and progressive," Knauer said. "It increases worker productivity and creates an environment which is a fun and friendly place to be. Except if you're the postman."

He said the pooches don't have an affinity for men in uniform.

Those with allergies or an aversion to dogs won't have a bone to pick - Knauer plans to implement a dog-free zone in the new office. Nowadays, the office is locked to outsiders (the front door warns "Dogs on Premises"), forcing delivery workers to knock and giving employees time to hold back the hounds.

Those complications aside, dogs enhance the workplace, providing a "positive distraction" for employees, Knauer said.

The dogs know exactly when to beg for a potty break: usually after their masters have stared for hours at computer screens. Physicians suggest computer users take frequent breaks to reduce the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain and back soreness, Knauer said.

Taking his mutts on walks also provides Knauer time to clear his head. And his employees are known to borrow his dogs so they can take a stress-reducing run with them.

Dogs boost business, too.

When Knauer's employees call retailers whose products they'd like to market, a dog barking in the background usually breaks the ice. Just last week, Knauer said he and a CEO of a personal-care product manufacturer clicked after she heard the yelping of the dogs, Luna, Simon and Robin in the background. Knauer's company now sells her stuff.

"She was kind of wary getting involved with us, but she heard the dogs barking and started to tell me she has nine pets at home," Knauer said. "I really believe it was because of that we were really able to get through the doors."

People constantly express to him their wishes to bring their own dogs to work when they see him walking his. One guy even asked Knauer if he could fax him his resume.

The new office will have elevated platforms installed under employees' desks for dog beds and automated water systems to keep water bowls filled. Also, benefits will be extended to cover pet-sitter costs for business trips.

"We all use the same sitter anyway," said Knauer, who listed the costs for the new office dog features as minimal.

Accommodations can be made at work for possibly aggressive or nervous dogs, Knauer said. His own dog's once defiant and destructive behavior ended when he began taking him to work.

All dogs brought into the office by contractors get a trial period of a week, and Knauer and the company carry liability insurance for incidents like biting.