Guru

Thanks to the XpertHR blog for reminding Guru that today (14 September) is the ever-popular Take Your Dog To Work Day.

Ever-popular with nutcases and fruitcakes and people who are soft in the head, that is.

Earlier this year, Guru ran a competition in Personnel Today and on this very blog to discover the fluffiest-ever HR initiative.

A pile of human resources fluff worthy of any people-friendly belly button quickly built up in Guru's in-tray as he searched for the winner of his inaugural Angora Award for HR Pufnstuf (named after the 1960s kids TV show).

Disciple Steve nominated the almost ubiquitous 'Dress-Down Friday' for the prize.

"Surely this is HR's least business-critical contribution to the workplace," he said. "It makes the office look like a student union and encourages slovenliness."

Disciple Judy offered 'Duvet Days' as her organisation's cuddly contribution to business failure.

"Don't associate yourself with this doubtless American-inspired nonsense," she warned. "It's a slackers' charter."

But Guru awarded the prize - a rare DVD box set of all 17 episodes of HR Pufnstuf - to disciple Kate. She suggested the extraordinarily furry 'Take Your Dog to Work Day' as the fluffiest example of HR puff.

"Now a regular fixture in the pet-lover's calendar, every September, soft employees up and down the country plead with their managers to allow them to bring Fido to work," she says. "You think things grind to a standstill when someone brings a baby into the office? Try introducing a puppy - it's chaos."

Guru concurs. And in case you doubt the reality of this phenomenon, check out the Take Your Dog to Work Day website, complete with moronic celebrity endorsements, including 'actress' Amanda Holden, who opines:

"It's really hard for [dogs] to be left at home for hours at a time [begging the question...]. And anything that reduces stress at work has got to be a good idea for everyone."

Thanks for your deep insight into the world of workplace wellbeing, Amanda.