Max Haley with his owners Andrew and Alice Haley. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER.
MAX Haley loves his job.
He enjoys greeting customers at the family's Buninyong business and likes getting out and about as the firm's site supervisor.
The fact Max is a two-year-old golden retriever doesn't worry anyone at all.
Alice and Andrew Haley began bringing Max to work about three months ago when they moved their sustainable building business, Haley Building, from home to Warrenheip Street in Buninyong.
"Max is always with us. We don't even go on holidays if he can't come with us," Ms Haley said.
"We can't leave him home. He'd be lonely."
And now Max has become a local identity, both with clients and people passing by.
"He's a good icebreaker with customers and I find, if I get stressed, he lightens the mood.
"People are always looking and smiling at him through the window or they come in just to pat him."
Max is considered such an integral part of the business, he is included in the staff photos on their website, www.haleybuilding.com.au.
Mr Haley said Max never barked or jumped up on customers but was always keen for a pat or a tummy rub.
"He doesn't know what mean is," he said.
However, he can occasionally put his paws in it on building sites when he spots wet cement.
Max has also been popular with classmates of the Haley's two children and Mrs Haley, a former aged care worker, is thinking about taking him for nursing home visits due to his placid but loving nature.
Throughout October, the World Society for the Protection of Animals has asked businesswomen to share stories of how pets can improve the workplace.
WSPA said office animals can help colleagues get on better, reduce stress and raise efficiency.
For more information on WSPA and animals in the workplace, go to www.abn.org.au/pets-at-work.