Ah, the pandemic days—remember when we swapped office wear for pajama pants and commutes for coffee refills? Zoom calls took over, and we all got used to trying to look professional on top while, let’s be honest, we stayed pretty cozy on the bottom.
Now, as we reluctantly shuffle back to in-person work, some of us miss those at-home perks. Fuzzy slippers at the desk? Check. Telling the kids to keep it down while we’re “in a meeting”? Check. And of course, the endless parade of pets making guest appearances on screen. Who can forget those tail-wagging interruptions?
Recently, I visited the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) in Edmonton, Canada, and got to see a whole new take on the work-life balance. Under CEO Jeanne Weis’s leadership, CLPNA not only prioritizes public safety but also, to my delight, supports some of the perks of home life at the office.
As I arrived, I was warmly greeted by Doug Lemermeyer, the Executive Officer of Strategy and Corporate Governance, who gave me a tour of the office. At first glance, it looked like a bright, open, modern workspace—a breath of fresh air compared to the cubicle farms we all know (and don’t exactly love). But then, I spotted something intriguing: a big fluffy pillow under an employee’s desk. Wait… could it be? Pets in the office?
Oh, yes. At CLPNA, dogs are not just allowed—they’re encouraged! Before I knew it, a young pup trotted up to me, practically demanding belly rubs and head scratches. Some HR personnel might frown on this “paw-sitive” distraction, but I was all in. Business talk went out the window, and I was reduced to high-pitched baby talk in seconds. Hey, can you blame me? Who can resist puppy eyes?
The staff, clearly delighted by their pet-friendly setup, were all smiles and happy to share stories of their pups’ antics. And why not? One member of the team proudly mentioned that just a few weeks ago, on Halloween, there were a dozen dogs in the office and those who were mostly dressed up were not human.
Bringing your dog to the office isn’t just fun; it’s a real mood booster and clearly a successful traditional workplace disrupter. In a field like licensing and professional regulation, where gratitude isn’t always easy to come by, a wagging tail can make a tough day way better.
So, hats off to CLPNA for bringing some pawsitivity into the workplace.
Dogs + work = a paw-some equation. Talk about a “ruff” life, eh?
– Daniel Roukema, CEO
