New puppy and work woes

Gusbear

Gusbear

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I will try and cut a very long story short. I work in what was a child and dog friendly office I.e. Bring your kids or pets to work, no problem. I bought a puppy 2 weeks ago based on this. Turns out one person (who is new) in an office of 65 hates all animals and although she works in a completely separate department to me so wouldn't even know puppy was there unless someone mentioned it, complained so no more dogs, pups or cats now allowed. I'm now in the position of having a hand reared and hence very dependent pup which has some issues with separation anxiety and as a result won't eat, drink and has dioherrea if left alone at present. Vet has said pup needs to be under constant supervision until at least 12 weeks old. He's now 9 weeks. Our CEO wants our office to be like Google, I.e. very relaxed, laid back and have dogs and kids around and everyone dressed for work like they are on holidays. Sadly the dog phobic colleague who turns out isn't actually scared but just hates all animals of any description has now dictated that pets are a no go.
We have no one to look after our pup whilst we are at work. Pup goes nuts if left alone and as per vets advice needs to be supervised until he is at least 12 weeks old when he can go to a puppy sitter if need be.
Office also has a work from home policy. If you have kids, defendants or live too far away or can't get to the office for whatever reason then they will let you work from home. I applied and was rejected. I was told a sick and dependant puppy didn't qualify me. OH has hit the roof and said as we don't have kids why are we exempt. My supervisor has told me I'm the hardest working member of our team as I do at least 8 hours overtime each week without pay and will willingly work extra hours to help cover my fellow team mates that need time off to look after sick children. I said we don't have kids so dear puppy is like one to us. Was told sorry but dogs don't matter. I said no problem I'll happily take time off without pay or if you approve me to work from home then I'll pay the set up costs out of my own pocket. Sorry they said, dogs are dogs and people with kids get priority. OH is fuming, I'm suffering migraines from the stress and can't understand why a dog friendly office is suddenly a dog friendless one as the result of one odd person that has an issue.
I've been told I need to report for work tomorrow or else I'll be sacked. In the past all the managers bought their pets to work and if it got sick then they took the day off, without pay to look after it. Now all of a sudden that's changed.
I don't think I want to work there anymore to be honest. Seems the one person that hates all things four legged has the ultimate say on how the rest of the office operates.
I'm sad, angry and stressed.
What are your thoughts everyone?
If I had known that it would be an issue then we would never had bought our puppy.
We can't take him back to the breeder as it would break our hearts (as I'm sure his) if we did. OH's best friend is a lawyer and says we have justification to sue my employer for wrongful dismissal and discrimination. I don't want to take this route as I know it will impede on me getting another job which I need to cover the cost of the livery of my horse as well as covering the bills for my pup.
I've not slept the past two nights worrying about the whole palava. CEO has suddenly become unavailable to talk to and I'm now dealing with managers that have little or no sympathy for anyone that doesn't have children.
God I hate the world at present. Sorry to the world that I couldn't produce children, sorry I got a puppy instead to fill the void. Sorry that I dare think my dear pup was as important as someone's child.
Sorry I've posted this but I'm angry and upset.
I just need to vent my anger.
Any comments welcome.
 
I operate a dog friendly workplace for our freelancers but even I would balk at a puppy that a vet said needed constant supervision you are at work to work .
Sounds like a puppy sitter is the way forward until pup is older .
What are the other workers with dogs saying about the new no dog policy .
But dogs are not children that is obvious .
It's a shame they won't let you work from home but it depends what the policy is .
I don't think in law an employer has to let people with pets work from home ( or even those with children ).
 
Hmmm. I think a puppy sitter is the way to go, especially as your appeals are falling on deaf ears. How rubbish that one person has ruined it for all. And what sort of person doesn't like animals?! What a miserable git.

Anyway, yes investigate a puppy sitter. And maybe a new job, though I've found dog-friendly workplaces are hard to come by. I reluctantly left a job that was dog friendly and now my pooch has to stay home.
 
It's a bit of an odd policy if one person can come in and say they don't like animals (I hope the kids are included too) so everyone has to sing to their tune? Were they not made aware of the situation before they took the position?
 
We looked at puppy sitters that come to your home but at short notice we simply couldn't find anyone available. That coupled with pup falling ill as it seems he has some food intolerances/sensitive tummy and needs to be supervised simply because the vet said to administer medicine only after each runny poo. Only reason he said wait until 12 weeks was that is when he is due for his booster shot so once he reaches that point then he can happily be left alone or better still can go off to puppy day care and safely romp around with other dogs.
The rest of the office are unhappy at the new no dogs rule. Rumour has it a petition is being started to bring back the dog friendly policy.
I don't know if it is in writing or not. The company was originally family run by a husband and wife that eagerly encouraged dogs at work. They bought theirs in every day. They sold the company a few years ago on the previso that the new owners would allow the employees the same privileges to keep the feel of a family run company so the CEO decreed dogs and kids are OK so long as they don't disrupt productivity. I know it's unusual to allow dogs at work, however it worked so well for years and it really helped with morale. Nothing better than having a puppy or dog cuddle when you're stressed and great for getting to know and interact with your colleagues who have a similar love for animals.
I met so many lovely people simply by having my pup a work for one day. It saddens me to think one grumpy person has managed to ruin it for everyone else.
Yes she knew about the dog rule. Just before I returned to work for the company after a five year absence they had a bring your pet to work day so everyone had their dog or cat or whatever at the office and it was a great success from all accounts. Animal hating colleague called in sick that day.
Honestly I'm not the most maternal person when it comes to children so I'm not the ooh and aahhhing type of person when babies and kids turn up but nevertheless I am always polite and take interest when someone's child appears at my desk and will always make the effort to have a chat and try and engage them. If only animal hating person could return the favour. God only knows how the rest of office will react when she brings in her kids.
Never mind. The world is made of of some strange people and sadly I have to work with them.
Job is safe by the way and my boss is frantic believing I would resign so is trying her best to arrange for me to work from home until such time pup and his dodgy tummy settles and he can head off to the exciting realms of puppy day care and make new friends.
 
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