25 Aug Harley: The Four-Legged Colleague Making a Difference at Unicrest Finance
At Unicrest Finance, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships, delivering exceptional service, and creating a positive working environment for our team. However, one of our most popular colleagues doesn’t have a finance qualification, doesn’t attend management meetings, and certainly can’t underwrite a deal.
Meet Harley, Michelle’s working Cocker Spaniel.
For three days each week, Harley joins the team in the office, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of tail wags. While Harley’s official role might be unofficial, there is growing evidence that dogs can have a genuinely positive impact in the workplace, benefiting employee wellbeing, collaboration, and even recruitment and retention.
Harley Helps Reduce Workplace Stress
The world of commercial finance can be demanding. Whether we’re supporting businesses with funding solutions, managing transactions, or working to tight deadlines, there are times when pressure levels inevitably increase.
Harley has an uncanny ability to brighten the atmosphere. Whether he is greeting colleagues in the morning, resting beside a desk, or encouraging someone to take a short break, his presence helps create a calmer environment.
Research has found that dogs in the workplace can contribute to lower stress levels and improved wellbeing among employees. Studies have also highlighted positive effects on workplace morale and social interaction.
For many team members, a quick fuss with Harley can provide just the mental reset needed before tackling the next challenge.
Encouraging Healthy Breaks
One of Harley’s strongest talents is ensuring that nobody sits at their desk for too long.
A walk around the office grounds or a few minutes spent stretching your legs with Harley encourages employees to step away from their screens and recharge. These short breaks often help improve concentration and productivity when returning to work.
Research highlighted by Lincoln University found that dogs in the workplace can contribute to improved work engagement and overall quality of working life.
At Unicrest Finance, Harley takes his responsibility for employee wellbeing very seriously, particularly around lunchtime.
Bringing People Together
Harley is also something of a relationship manager.
One of the less obvious benefits of having a dog in the office is their ability to bring people together. Harley regularly sparks conversations between colleagues who may not otherwise interact during a busy working day.
Research suggests that office dogs act as social catalysts, increasing positive interactions between employees and helping to strengthen workplace culture
In a relationship-led business such as Unicrest Finance, stronger internal connections create a more collaborative and supportive environment for everyone.
Making Clients Feel Welcome
Anyone who has visited the Unicrest Finance office while Harley is on duty will know that he takes client relations very seriously.
Clients are often greeted with a wagging tail and a friendly welcome, helping to create a relaxed and approachable atmosphere from the moment they arrive.
While professionalism remains at the heart of everything we do, Harley adds a personal touch that reflects our people-first approach. In many cases, he becomes a memorable part of the client experience and leaves visitors with a lasting impression of the business.
Supporting Recruitment and Retention
Workplace culture is becoming increasingly important when attracting and retaining talented employees.
Research published through Harvard Business Review has identified pet-friendly workplaces as contributing positively to employee wellbeing, collaboration, recruitment, and retention.
Additional surveys have found that:
- 27% of pet owners consider a pet-friendly office to be a valuable employee benefit.
- 32% say pet-related benefits could influence their decision to stay with an employer or move to another organisation.
While Harley would never take credit for helping attract great people to Unicrest Finance, we suspect he knows exactly how popular he is.
Why Harley is the Perfect Office Dog
Working Cocker Spaniels are known for their intelligence, loyalty, affectionate nature, and ability to adapt to different environments.
Harley embodies all these traits. Friendly without being intrusive, energetic without being disruptive, and always happy to meet new people, he has become a valued member of the Unicrest Finance family.
Like the rest of the team, he arrives each day ready to make a positive contribution, although admittedly his contribution usually involves boosting morale rather than assessing financial statements.
More Than Just a Dog
At Unicrest Finance, we believe successful businesses are built around people, relationships, and culture.
The research supporting dog-friendly workplaces is compelling, demonstrating benefits across employee wellbeing, workplace engagement, and team collaboration.
For us, those benefits are represented by one particular four-legged colleague.
Harley may not appear on the organisational chart and he certainly doesn’t have a company email address, but Michelle’s working Cocker Spaniel has become a much-loved part of office life at Unicrest Finance.
After all, loyalty, enthusiasm, trustworthiness, and a positive attitude are qualities we value highly in our business. Harley simply demonstrates them every day. 🐾
Michelle Bloomfield, Sales Director,
Unicrest Finance Limited
DD: 01473 375183
M: 07875 741220
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