Japanese company brings in cats to counter employee stress

Cats in the workplace sounds like a win win for everybody.

The Japanese IT firm Ferray has introduced an “office cat” policy to combat the stressful environment of the Japanese workplace.

cats in the workplace japan

A total of nine fur friends are allowed to roam freely in the office and do whatever their little hearts desire.

Hidenobu Fukuda, who heads the firm, actually introduced the famous kitty policy in 2000 upon request from one of his employees, allowing staffers to bring their felines to work. He agreed, and ever since then he allows any employee to bring in their trusted companions.

Eri Ito, who works at Ferray, says she is sold on the animal’s soothing ways.

“Cats are sleeping just beside us...It’s healing,” Ito said.

Not only does Fukuda encourage bringing cats into the workplace, but he also encourages rescues from Japan’s over populated shelters/streets.

“I also give 5,000 yen ($45) a month to those who rescue a cat,” he said of his charges.

cats in the workplace japan

While the pros totally outweigh the cons, there is still some obstacles.

“Sometimes a cat will walk on a phone and cut off the call, or they shut down the computers by walking onto the off switch,” he said.

Still, cats in the workplace have been a huge success for his employees, and the cats as well. The policy has lead to many other companies to do the same, and let’s not forget the 60 registered cat cafes that are popping up on every street.

Cats just make everything better.

Watch the video below!

A Japanese company is encouraging people to bring their cats to the office to help them cope with stress and fatigue pic.twitter.com/EnA4RSNsyI
— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 19, 2017