Hidenobu Fukuda, the CEO of Ferray, an IT company based in Tokyo, might just be the kind of boss that many people would love to work for, unless, of course, you’re allergic to cats. His employees, however, are quite happy with a unique company rule that lets several cats roam around the office during the workday. Back in 2017, there were as many as nine cats in the office at one time.
The idea of allowing cats to live and relax in the office didn’t actually come from Fukuda but was suggested by one of the staff members. Once presented, Fukuda quickly embraced it, fully supporting the plan. In fact, he takes it a step further by offering employees a ¥5,000 (roughly $45) monthly bonus if they adopt a stray cat in need. Since 2000, these furry companions have been a regular part of the Ferray office environment, all with the purpose of helping employees manage stress levels.
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In Japan, particularly in the tech industry, there’s a well-known culture of overwork and long hours. This kind of lifestyle can lead to serious stress and burnout, which ultimately harms both the employees and the company’s productivity. By creating a more relaxed and comforting environment, everyone benefits.
Ferray isn’t the only company in Japan with this animal-friendly mindset. Oracle Japan, another tech company, has its own tradition of bringing animals into the workplace. An Old English Sheepdog named Candy works there as a “greeting and healing ambassador.” She’s not the first; the company has had dogs around since 1991, and Candy is now their fourth. The dogs are so well-loved that Candy even has her own social media presence.
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Some companies have taken this concept even further by introducing more unusual animals to the office. The Pasona Group, for instance, welcomed two goats in 2011 and added two alpacas in 2013 as full-time office “employees,” primarily to help reduce stress.
While the idea of working next to an alpaca might sound odd, it’s hard to judge until you’ve experienced it. Meanwhile, Ferray’s employees seem to thoroughly enjoy their feline coworkers. According to People, the cats seem content as well, since the office provides them with beds, toys, litter boxes, and plenty of treats.
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One employee mentioned, “Cats are sleeping just beside us… It’s healing.” However, not everything is always perfect. Fukuda admits that sometimes the cats can accidentally disrupt work. “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 shared.
That said, most employees seem to believe that the benefits far outweigh the occasional mishaps. Cats are known to chew on cords, play with papers, and even sit on keyboards, but despite these small annoyances, the overall mood in the office is much more relaxed.
And let’s be honest, it’s hard to stay mad at a cute, furry friend. Since cats are small and can usually be moved aside when they’re in the way, their presence doesn’t cause major disruptions.
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Interestingly, even though cat allergies are relatively common in Japan, especially among children, research has shown that many children in Japan who grow up exposed to cats—even if they don’t have one at home—often become desensitized to them. As adults, they are less likely to suffer from allergic reactions around cats.
At Ferray, not only are there office cats, but employees are encouraged to bring their own pets to work. This practice likely makes both employees and their pets happier and more relaxed throughout the day. It’s clear that the company cares about its employees’ well-being. In fact, they offer automatic bereavement leave if an employee’s pet passes away.
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Of course, not everyone is a fan of cats, and that’s perfectly fine. However, this policy seems to be working well at Ferray, with employees reporting improved morale. Science backs up these claims, showing that spending time with cats can lower stress and even reduce blood pressure. However, it’s important to give cats their own space when needed and let them take breaks from social interaction when they want to.
In conclusion, bringing cats into the office can be a small but impactful way to improve the work environment and support employees’ mental health, as long as everyone is on board with the idea and any potential issues are handled carefully.
Take a look at the adorable video of the company’s CEO and their furry friends!
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