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An organisation's pet-friendly workplace policy helps it to attract talent, and creates connections that foster collaboration, its people leader says.

At Mars Petcare Australia (which refers to its employees as 'associates') allowing dogs at work aligns so strongly with the organisation's purpose that it wouldn't "make sense not to", says people and organisation director Aaron Lamers.

But he tells HR Daily he'd recommend it to any organisation.

Pointing to global research on cats and dogs, Lamers says pets can reduce stress and anxiety, and have a calming effect, so there's a "massive benefit" for associates' mental health and wellbeing.

"The research is certainly around to suggest that where people feel like they can be themselves, it helps with engagement," he adds...