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New research finds that sixty-four percent (64%) of dog owners are more likely to work from the office if their pooch is welcome.
Today, in a paw-some move, Amazon Australia has opened its newest dog playground at its corporate office on Park Street in Sydney. The tail-wagging initiative underscores the company’s commitment to a pet-friendly workplace culture and is an extension of Amazon’s successful Dogs at Work (DAW) program.
Desire for more pet-friendly initiatives to boost workplace culture
New independent research, commissioned by Amazon Australia, shows that there is a high desire for dogs to be brought to work, with 69% of dog owners in Australia saying they would love to bring their furry friend to the office.
Championing Amazon’s dog playgrounds is Senior Manager of Workplace Experience, Georgia Mitchell.
Mitchell says, “We’re so proud of our Dogs at Work program, we’ve seen a huge uptake in the amount of paw-ticipants registered and we’re constantly looking at ways to improve the overall experience. Creating zones that are dog-friendly and accessible means our employees can easily pop up to the playground and their pups can have a sniff and a play. Not only is this great for dogs but it also encourages our employees to step away from their desk, enjoy some fresh air, and get a walk in.
“Our research found that 80% of workplaces in Australia don’t allow dogs which is a shame when you look at the broader workplace benefits. Our dog playground provides a relaxed environment where our Amazonians can catch up and connect with one another. We know that those chance meetings and informal interactions go far beyond in strengthening social bonds for the team.”
“We know pets bring many mental and physical health benefits. They’re vital companions and much-loved members of the family,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
“Particularly in the inner city where people don’t have big backyards to let pets roam during the day, flexible and inclusive policies that welcome pets into the workplace are a huge help. The opening of Amazon Australia’s Dog Playground in Sydney is an exciting innovation and an example I hope other companies follow, helping make our city as furry friend friendly as possible!”
Alex Greenwich MP State Member for Sydney says, “With more and more people returning to work at the office, we can’t forget our furry co-workers who kept us company and acted as a sounding board during the pandemic. We know companion animals improve health and mental health, and that doesn’t need to just be limited to the home. Thank you to Amazon for the leading the way with their Dogs at Works play area. Now we need the State Government to move on the growing call to allow pets on public transport.”
About Amazon's Dogs at Work Program
How the research was done
The research was commissioned by DEC PR and Amazon, and conducted by Lonergan Research in accordance with the ISO 20252 standard. Lonergan Research surveyed 1,307 Australians 18+. Surveys were distributed throughout Australia including both capital city and non-capital city areas. The survey was conducted online amongst members of a permission-based panel, between 5 and 9 February 2024. After interviewing, data was weighted to the latest population estimates sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
However, nearly nine in ten dog owners (89%) confess they have concerns holding them back from fully embracing the concept. Most commonly, owners are worried that their workplace isn’t set up for dogs (58%) and that there’s no nearby park or open space for their pooch to enjoy some fresh air or to do their ‘business’ (28%). To mitigate these concerns for its employees, Amazon has opened a new dog playground on the roof of its Sydney office, providing a spacious and convenient area for dogs within the office premises.
Designed in consultation with experts and Amazon dog owners, the new state-of-the-art facilities include lush, bright green grass in an open plan area, that invites playful sniffing, and a generous area for roaming and bathroom breaks. To ensure a safe environment for pooches throughout the day, the playground is secured by high fencing.
Designed in consultation with experts and Amazon dog owners, the new state-of-the-art facilities include lush, bright green grass in an open plan area, that invites playful sniffing, and a generous area for roaming and bathroom breaks. To ensure a safe environment for pooches throughout the day, the playground is secured by high fencing.
The research found that:
- 69% of working Australians believe that a dogs in the office policy would make their job more enjoyable.
- 62% said that a policy which allowed dogs in the office would make them more likely to work for an organisation.
This highlights the strong desire for more pet-friendly workplaces and provides employers with an opportunity to have an edge when it comes to creating attractive workplace environments.
Benefits that aren't just for dogs
Championing Amazon’s dog playgrounds is Senior Manager of Workplace Experience, Georgia Mitchell.
Mitchell says, “We’re so proud of our Dogs at Work program, we’ve seen a huge uptake in the amount of paw-ticipants registered and we’re constantly looking at ways to improve the overall experience. Creating zones that are dog-friendly and accessible means our employees can easily pop up to the playground and their pups can have a sniff and a play. Not only is this great for dogs but it also encourages our employees to step away from their desk, enjoy some fresh air, and get a walk in.
“Our research found that 80% of workplaces in Australia don’t allow dogs which is a shame when you look at the broader workplace benefits. Our dog playground provides a relaxed environment where our Amazonians can catch up and connect with one another. We know that those chance meetings and informal interactions go far beyond in strengthening social bonds for the team.”
“Dogs at work have positive impacts on productivity, innovation, and collaboration, all of which we are focused on enhancing through the workplace experiences we create,” she continued.Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Clover Moore AO is a strong advocate for creating a pet-friendly city and supports the integration of pets into more aspects of our daily life.
“We know pets bring many mental and physical health benefits. They’re vital companions and much-loved members of the family,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
“Particularly in the inner city where people don’t have big backyards to let pets roam during the day, flexible and inclusive policies that welcome pets into the workplace are a huge help. The opening of Amazon Australia’s Dog Playground in Sydney is an exciting innovation and an example I hope other companies follow, helping make our city as furry friend friendly as possible!”
Alex Greenwich MP State Member for Sydney says, “With more and more people returning to work at the office, we can’t forget our furry co-workers who kept us company and acted as a sounding board during the pandemic. We know companion animals improve health and mental health, and that doesn’t need to just be limited to the home. Thank you to Amazon for the leading the way with their Dogs at Works play area. Now we need the State Government to move on the growing call to allow pets on public transport.”
About Amazon's Dogs at Work Program
Dog playgrounds are part of Amazon’s Dogs at Work (DAW) program which has been a part of the company’s ethos since Amazon.com first launched in Australia. It is a global initiative that Australian Amazon employees have embraced with more than 10,000 pawticipants registered at Amazon offices around the world. This playground is the third of its kind in Australia and a continued extension of the highly successful DAW initiative.
The research was commissioned by DEC PR and Amazon, and conducted by Lonergan Research in accordance with the ISO 20252 standard. Lonergan Research surveyed 1,307 Australians 18+. Surveys were distributed throughout Australia including both capital city and non-capital city areas. The survey was conducted online amongst members of a permission-based panel, between 5 and 9 February 2024. After interviewing, data was weighted to the latest population estimates sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
MEDIA RELEASE, 27th February 2024
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