Unleashing the Furr-Recovery Method: Interacting with Pets in Teleworking Replenishes the Self’s Regulatory Resources: Evidence from a Daily-Diary Study

Abstract

This study is based on the conservation of resources theory and the recovery step model in order to further explore the furr-recovery method—a mechanism through which workers break their routine by taking micro-moments to interact with their “furry co-workers,” thus relieving their fatigue and tension or other negative affective states. Based on this, we argue that this method not only serves the purpose of restoring self-regulatory resources but also ameliorates mental health. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze how daily human–animal interactions during teleworking positively influence teleworkers’ mental health, via recovering their self-regulatory resources, at the within-person level. Full-time teleworkers completed multiple online surveys for 5 consecutive workdays (N = 211 × 5 = 1055 daily observations). Multilevel path analysis results showed that on days on which employees had more micro-moments to interact with their “furry co-workers” during the day, they experienced a higher self-regulatory capacity and felt better while working. In sum, the findings give support for the theoretical resource perspective of interacting with pets as an effective energy management strategy while at work. This research extends the theoretical understanding of regulatory resources as a cognitive mechanism that links HAIs to employee mental health. Moreover, the findings outlined here offer practical implications by highlighting the furr-recovery method, a method that teleworkers who own pets may use as a strategy during the working day to restore resources needed to be healthier.

Applying the Affective Events Theory to Explore the Effect of Daily Micro-Interruptions on Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Affect and the Moderating Role of Pets at Work

“…In addition, it would be useful to consider the type of pet and the level of emotional attachment as moderators within the AET framework. At last, because this study only considers pet ownership, and there is evidence of the beneficial effects of human-animal interactions for a wide range of work and personal outcomes (see Junça-Silva, 2023c), future studies should consider testing the model with human-animal interactions as a moderator.…”

“…The beneficial effects of working near pets may be supported by the literature (e.g., Junça-Silva, 2023b). Recently, some studies have shown that workers who own pets and work from home have increased performance rates (Wagner & Pina e Cunha, 2021), are more engaged with their work (Sousa et al, 2022), and feel happier (Junça-Silva, 2023c). Thus, workers who own pets if they are allowed to work from home, even hybrid, may feel a greater sense of obligation and commitment to their employer, which may be translated into higher well-being, gratitude, and happiness (Junça-Silva et al, 2022).…”

Negative Impact of Telework, Job Insecurity, and Work–Life Conflict on Employee Behaviour

“…The lack of direct interactions disconnects the employee from relevant information and/or rapid identification of opportunities in professional development. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to less face-to-face interaction between colleagues, leading to the need to develop other interactions in order to supply the micro-breaks that help an employee relax [74]. The COVID-19 pandemic context also increased the need of teleworking employees to have constant communication with colleagues and supervisors, as this interaction significantly influenced their well-being [51].…”

‘Pawing’ uncertainty! how dogs attenuate the impact of daily hassles at work on uncertainty

“…Recently, Junça-Silva [ 11 , 12 ] demonstrated that human-animal interactions in the work context not only relaxed employees but created moments for them to recover and respite – the furr-recovery method. Accordingly, interacting with pets (e.g., petting the dog’s head) during work time may be a micro-break that distracts employees from work and helps them recover self-regulatory resources that are needed for them to deal with daily hassles.…”

“…Relying on the “furr-recovery method” [ 11 , 12 ], I argue that dog owners will react differently to daily hassles when compared to employees who do not own dogs. The furr-recovery method explains that interacting with a pet during work time will serve as a micro-break that restores lost energy, stamina, and motivation, making the individual ready to invest additional efforts in their work [ 11 , 12 ]. Hence, based on this, we expect that those who own dogs will deal with daily hassles differently from those who do not own dogs.…”