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Part 2
Argument
Directions: Closely read each of the four texts provided on pages 13 through 20 and write a source-based argument on the topic below. You may use the margins to take notes as you read and scrap paper to plan your response. Write your argument beginning on page 1 of your essay booklet. Topic: Should pets be allowed in the workplace? Your Task: Carefully read each of the four texts provided. Then, using evidence from at least three of the texts, write a well-developed argument regarding whether or not pets should be allowed in the workplace. Clearly establish your claim, distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims, and use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from at least three of the texts to develop your argument. Do not simply summarize each text. Guidelines: Be sure to:
- Establish your claim regarding whether or not pets should be allowed in the workplace
- Distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims
- Use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from at least three of the texts to develop your argument
- Identify each source that you reference by text number and line number(s) or graphic (for example: Text 1, line 4 or Text 2, graphic)
- Organize your ideas in a cohesive and coherent manner
- Maintain a formal style of writing
- Follow the conventions of standard written English Texts: Text 1 – Do Pets in the Workplace Improve Morale? Text 2 – Why Pets in the Workplace May Not Be As Great As You Thought Text 3 – Why a Pet-Friendly Office May Be the Key to Employee Satisfaction Text 4 – Don’t Bring Your Dog to Work
Text 1 Do Pets in the Workplace Improve Morale? Human resource managers are always looking for ways to improve morale and create a more appealing workplace culture. The popularity of the recent film release “The Secret Life of Pets” [2016] underscores the love we Americans have for our pets. In fact, around 65 percent of U.S. households are home to at least one pet. The majority of these are dogs and cats. … 5 The benefits of being around animals have inspired human resource personnel and other business decision makers to allow pets in the workplace. The top motive for making this allowance is the stress-reducing effect that animals bring. Employees who are less stressed at work are more productive and miss fewer days due to being sick. Pet-friendly businesses usually focus mainly on allowing dogs in the workplace. However, 10 some allow cats, birds and reptiles. A retail business might have “shop cats” that live on the premises, or smaller animals kept in cages that can become company mascots and offer a source of stress relief for workers. An Internet giant paves the way with pets in the workplace. …These days, about 2,000 dogs accompany their owners to Amazon each day. Workers and management have embraced the culture, and the pet-friendly policy benefits both 15 owners and those who don’t own pets. No matter what the workday brings, Amazon staff members are never far away from a coworker’s terrier or spaniel poking its head around a corner. Any stress they were feeling melts away. … Pet-friendly workplaces rate higher. Banfield Pet Hospital recently surveyed over 1,000 employees and 200 human resource decision makers for its Pets At Work barometer called “Pet-Friendly Workplace 20 PAWrometer.” The goal was to measure worker opinions about pets in the workplace. Those who worked in pet-friendly offices were found to believe it improves the atmosphere in the workplace significantly. The majority of workers in pet-friendly workplaces consider the policy to be positive. A full 91 percent of managers and 82 percent of employees felt workers become more loyal to 25 the company with this policy. A large majority felt it made the workplace more productive, and 86 percent of workers and 92 percent of management reported decreased worker stress levels. Not only do pets in the workplace make the environment less stressful, workers are also less burdened with guilt about leaving a pet at home alone while they are at work. They are then more likely to work longer hours if required. 30 While pet-friendly businesses improve existing employees’ lives, they are also appealing to new applicants. It’s a benefit that millennials^1 find appealing and offers a way to draw in a larger talent pool. So, how do pet-friendly workplaces stack up in terms of pros and cons? Let’s take a look: The benefits of pets in the workplace.
- Happier, more productive workers. Both pet owners and non-pet owning 35 employees report lowered stress levels and a higher level of job satisfaction with pets on the premises. This naturally leads to increased productivity. (^1) millennials — the generation born in the 1980s or 1990s, especially in the U.S.
Text 2 Why Pets in the Workplace May Not Be As Great As You Thought …Study after study has proven how pets have a calming effect on our bodies and minds, how they help children with A.D.D. [Attention Deficit Disorder] focus better, how they reduce blood pressure and lower stress, how pets at the workplace make employees more creative, productive, and cordial to each other, and how they’re such awesome additions to 5 our lives overall. So it would seem that if we spend the best parts of our waking hours at work, there’s no better way to carry forward these wonderful benefits that pets bring into our work lives too, right? Well, unfortunately there are no simple answers here. While there is a growing wave of companies led by the usual suspects—Google, Zynga, 10 Ben & Jerry’s, and others—that allow employees to take their pets along to the workplace, there’s also a growing debate about the practicality of the whole idea. And these voices of concern are not just coming from the minority of pet-haters or pet-neutral folks around. Even pet owners have reservations about bringing their beloved pooch to the office with them on a daily basis. Here’s why: Not in the Pink of Health 15 …Spare a thought for the millions of your fellow Americans who suffer from pet related allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America pegs the figure of Americans with one form of pet allergy or another at 15% to 30% of the total population. Some of these allergies are so severe that they cause rashes, temporary breathlessness, panic attacks, and even severe respiratory disorders. 20 In addition to a physical reaction to the presence of pets around them, you could have coworkers who are genuinely scared of animals and feel stressed out around them. For such individuals a pet in their workplace is not a calming presence, but rather a constant threat to their wellbeing and safety. Safety First …Many industries by their very nature are not conducive^1 to having pets sauntering 25 around. Medical facilities, pharmaceutical companies, chemical laboratories, and food businesses are all sectors where a pet can be a serious threat to the quality of the final product or service. In such environments, pets pose a genuine contamination hazard and are best kept out, no questions asked. In some cases, it’s in your pet’s best interest to chill out at home and skip the trip to the 30 workplace. Industries like construction, mining, refineries, and more can be dangerous for your pet’s health and well-being. You wouldn’t want to put your pet at risk just so you can be happy at work, would you? … Real Costs to the Company As any pet owner will tell you, owning their bundle of joy is not cheap. From $1570 for a large dog to $575 for a parakeet per year, pet ownership comes at an ever-increasing price 35 tag. When you turn your office into a pet friendly zone, you are in turn taking on some of the expenses of owning a pet upon yourself. Be prepared to stock your workplace with at least basic pet supplies like snacks, water bowls, kitty litter, and chew toys. (^1) conducive — favorable
If you think your costs end there (or are tangible), you are mistaken. Pets at the workplace also bring with them a built-in deterrent^2 for employees seeking career opportunities at your 40 organization. With the market for talented and qualified workers already so scarce, adding an extra filter to your recruitment process may not be the smartest idea from a competitive perspective. … While the benefits that pets bring with them are numerous and the pro-pet lobby gets louder with every passing day, organizations need to also give credence^3 to the real issues that 45 four-legged and feathered guests at work bring along with them. … —Rohan Ayyar excerpted and adapted from “Why Pets in the Workplace May Not Be As Great As You Thought” www.fastcompany.com, November 14, 2014 (^2) deterrent — obstacle (^3) credence — support
(^2) water cooler conversations — informal conversation
building through their pets. This can lead to some inspiring brainstorm conversations as well as an increase in camaraderie^3 and trust among workers. A 2012 study by the Virginia Commonwealth University found that employees that 40 brought their dogs to work were not only less stressed than their pet-free predecessors, but those employees believed they were 50 percent more productive with the presence of their pets. The public relations manager of the company that participated, Lisa Conklin of Replacements Dinnerware, stated after the conclusion of the study: “The study proved what we always thought: having dogs around leads to a more 45 productive work environment, and people get to know each other through the pets. If you are in a position where something is stressful, seeing that wagging tail and puppy smile brightens the day—it can turn around the whole environment.” Promote Employee Activity On top of all these benefits, pets can also improve employee activity. Dog owners in the office will most likely have to walk their dog at least once a day, allowing them the opportunity 50 to get away from their computer and into the open air. Workplace wellness has received considerable attention lately and more companies are making this a priority. Pet-friendly offices can inspire a smooth transition to a more ‘mobile’ office. … —Katie McBeth excerpted and adapted from “Why a Pet-Friendly Office May Be the Key to Employee Satisfaction” https://thebossmagazine.com, September 28, 2016 (^3) camaraderie — fellowship
(^1) abject — severe 2 vetted — examined 3 conducive — favorable
include requiring proof of vaccinations, as well as providing training for offices on dog behavior (which can be as basic as watching videos). “It’s critical that people with dogs get special education, in at least body language, even if they think they know normal body language,” said Christensen. Given that most people 45 can’t even tell the difference between a relaxed and anxious dog, this advice seems prudent. Before more offices throw open their doors to dogs willy-nilly^4 and more pets start tagging along on the morning commute, we should learn how better to listen to them. They might be asking to stay at home. —Matt Miller excerpted and adapted from “Don’t Bring Your Dog to Work” www.slate.com, August 15, 2016 (^4) willy-nilly — in an unplanned manner
