Inspiring Workplaces 
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,083- July 23, 2025

I stumbled upon a social media meme featuring a photo of an adorable Golden Lab puppy with a caption reading: "Every workplace should have an emergency puppy in case someone is having a bad day." 

What a fabulous idea! And not just for that one person having a dreadful day, it could be your entire team who is having an off day or an exceptionally busy or stressful day, or perhaps tensions have risen to volcanic temperatures during a meeting. You could even have an "Emergency Puppy Button" you push to alert the office puppy wrangler - a fictitious job I just now invented for you. You're welcome.  

Now if puppies aren't your thing or you don't have access to an emergency puppy, then consider other options that might be available in case of a "serious emergency" that will help lighten the mood. It might be a humor first aid kit stockpiled with funny props, an emergency stash of chocolates or ice cream, a stash of Silly String for a team Silly String battle, an alarm that triggers an impromptu five minute "fun dance" break, or, yes, even an emergency wombat (although I am guessing that if an emergency puppy was not an option then this might be even less of an option?).    

In all seriousness, take the time to plan for something, anything, that might serve as your go-to emergency puppy that can help you or your team get through a tough day. Research shows that even just knowing you have something in place can help people reduce their levels of anxiety, stress, and uncertainty.