Scholars’ Hub @ Home | Human-Animal Attachments in the Workplace: The rise and future of pet-friendly workplaces

Join Souha R. Ezzedeen, Undergraduate Program Director, Associate Professor, School of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and Tina Sharifi, Doctoral Candidate, School of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies on March 18 for Scholars’ Hub.

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, relationships between employees and their dogs are becoming increasingly meaningful and salient. As Millennials and Gen Z continue to embrace pet ownership as a central part of their lifestyles, organizations are being called to consider how these relationships shape work-life balance, engagement, and overall employee well-being. This session explores why the human–canine bond extends beyond a personal matter and presents a workplace issue worth addressing. Drawing on emerging research, we will examine the factors driving interest in pet-friendly policies, the organizational benefits of supporting employees with pets, and practical strategies for fostering inclusion, belonging, and well-being through dog-friendly practices.