Raining Cats & Dogs
dog AP
Dogs aren't always allowed in the workplace. But it seems to be working for Amazon.com in Seattle. (AP Photo/file)

How dogs in the workplace work at Amazon

BY Jamie Skorheim  on January 22, 2013 @ 10:32 am (Updated: 8:37 am - 1/24/13 )

Seattle-based Amazon.com has a long history of welcoming four-legged friends into the office. A current Amazonian tells KIRO Radio's "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" that it all began with a Corgi named Rufus, the company's first office dog compatriot.

Rufus was with the company for many years, and at least by lore is credited with paw clicks of the mouse that launched big sections of the Amazon.com we know today. Rufus died in 2009 but there is still evidence of his legacy around the company, says Amazon Corporate Communications Manager Ty Rogers.

"Rufus lives on at Amazon in many different ways," says Rogers. "His name is stamped on a lot of the door handles of the offices. He has his own help page on the website [...] He actually now has a building named after him."

Raining Cats and Dogs host Shawn Stewart asked Rogers just what's in it for pets, lugging their leashes into the workplace everyday.

Rogers says there are lots of pet perks.

"There are dog biscuits at all the reception desks, so when you bring your dog in you can grab a treat for them on their way in, and there [are] dog-friendly drinking fountains on campus as well. So where there will be a human-sized drinking fountain down on the ground there will be a dog drinking fountain."

The dogs get to tag along with their best friends at work, and meet new friends at the office. Rogers says there are dogs in all shapes and sizes around Amazon.

"Everything from little Chihuahuas to big Great Danes and everything in between," he says. "Some of our floors can feel a little bit like a dog park at times. There's lots of dogs running around and playing with each other."

But he says the owners are typically pretty responsible, and respectful that they are in a work environment.

"We ask that people use common sense with their dogs," says Rogers. "Obviously if your dog is aggressive at all or anything like that it's probably not a good idea to bring them to work. People are good about bringing the right dogs to work and being responsible with them when they're at work, keeping them on a leash as needed."

The company has a list of guidelines for their employees that want to bring their furry friend to work. The final listing in the guidelines reminds Amazonians that bringing dogs to work is a privilege - one that seems to be working out well for dog owners at Amazon - but one that shouldn't be confused with a right.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs can be heard on KIRO Radio on Sundays at 1 p.m. Available anytime ON DEMAND at KIRORadio.com.

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.

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Comments (11)


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  • imanegro wrote...
    uhhh
    January 22, 2013 9:48 am
    What about those who are allergic to pet dander? Good to know I would have to dodge dog feces inside the office as well as the human and dog feces on the way to the office.
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  • Amorget wrote...
    Good thing
    January 22, 2013 11:44 am
    It's a good thing you have every right NOT to work at Amazon.
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  • imanegro wrote...
    Agreed
    January 22, 2013 12:43 pm
    Just seems odd to choose animals over people. Perhaps dander-sensitive people are accommodated by putting them in an animal unfriendly building. Or maybe I know a disproportionate number of dander-sensitive peeps.
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  • Mike in Pioneer Square wrote...
    Actually
    January 22, 2013 9:39 pm
    I think this is grounds for a lawsuit. Why is it that dog owners have all of the rights? What about normal people?
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  • sghouse wrote...
    Insanity.....
    January 22, 2013 12:37 pm
    I'd bet that employees that bring their dogs waste at least a couple hours each day maintaining their pet while those who are dogless or leave Fido at home have to work a full day. How nice.
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  • Mike in Pioneer Square wrote...
    I agree
    January 22, 2013 9:40 pm
    I worked at Amazon as a contractor once, and one girl was constantly playing with her dog while everyone else was trying to -- you know -- WORK. This is the worst policy for the workplace EVER.
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  • CH wrote...
    my dog and her dog was getting it on at work -
    January 22, 2013 12:56 pm
    so we said why not and in the copier room we went!! Doggie style! I think the same thing went on the DM staff. Wink wink JG.
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  • CH wrote...
    my dog and her dog was getting it on at work -
    January 22, 2013 12:56 pm
    so we said why not and in the copier room we went!! Doggie style! I think the same thing went on the DM staff. Wink wink JG.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • undecided wrote...
    This is why....
    January 22, 2013 3:51 pm
    I choose not to work at Amazon.
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  • Mike in Pioneer Square wrote...
    Worst Idea Ever
    January 22, 2013 9:52 pm
    Aside from the fact the dogs are one of the major causes of neighborhood and water pollution in our area, this is a *terrible* idea for the workplace. Dogs only attract certain personality types, who are not perceptive, conscientious, respectful, or well-rounded. (And lets face it, they have no idea who that they aren't, because they're completely unaware.) A workplace skewed toward creepy, immature dog-owners excludes smart people who can probably contribute more to the company bottom line while the dog owners are chit-chatting and taking their dogs for a walk, over and over again. Finally, it's disciminatory to favor dog owners over people who might be allergic to pet dander, those who like birds, snakes, lizards, snakes, etc., or those who simply want a workplace free from distractions and screwing around. (Which is what dog owners do half of the time, anyway.) A workplace is NOT the right place to bring your "pet"! It's ridiculous that Amazon allows this type of behavior.
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  • nbern wrote...
    Why dog-friendly offices aren't that crazy...
    February 4, 2013 12:18 pm
    I think it’s great that Amazon welcomes dogs in the office! It sounds like they’re responsible about their dog policies, and I love that they have dog-friendly drinking fountains! I also work in a dog-friendly office (at Softchoice) but unfortunately, there are many organizations that are skeptical of having dogs at work. We actually put together a piece to help bust some of the most common dog-friendly office myths, hopefully encouraging other companies to allow pooches at work too! http://ow.ly/heMUf
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