Pets and assistance animals in the workplace

It is not new to see animals in the workplace but, in Australia, it is still uncommon other than when they are engaged to perform specified work duties (e.g. in police or customs duties or to assist someone with a disability), in small or owner-operated businesses or businesses aligned to pets or pet products. 

Given that the popular media increasingly reports on the benefits of having a pet-friendly workplace, this article sets out some key things before deciding whether the business will become pet-friendly, the key elements that might be needed in a pet-friendly policy; and when the business can and cannot deny access to animals in the workplace.  It will aslo examine assistance animals and when a business can and cannot deny access to animals these.