If your family is anything like mine, then the way we go to work, school and University has changed dramatically. For our family, our house is now a school, a lecture hall, and an office. Our family decided to foster 2 brothers, of the chihuahua kind, due to so many animals being surrendered due to the current Covid 19 uncertainty, see article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-21/coronavirus-brings-increase-in-pet-adoptions-and-abandonments/12074914. So now we have 2 brothers, who have joined our family of 2 dogs, in a house with 3 humans at home all the time!
Nacho and Nugget (Foster Brothers) 
Scruffy & Rowley (Adopted Rescue Dogs)
With so many changes occurring to the way we live life as a society, we need to start thinking outside the box as families, as small businesses and as citizens to survive in these changing times. It is so great to see some small businesses adapting so quickly to the changing business environment. One example of that is the way one café adapted to the “take away only” government initiative, by varying how they serve customers, the menu they now offer to customers and how customers can pay and collect (see article https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/6697498/crisis-breeds-innovation-businesses-adapt-quickly-in-bid-to-survive/). The Dubbo Chamber of Commerce President “said a lot of businesses were taking an innovative approach as the country battled coronavirus. Crisis breeds innovation”.
So too for all of us with the ability to work from home, we need to be resourceful, adaptable and embracing of the change. The Australian government has issued some really good work from home checklists click on this link: https://www.comcare.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/276948/Working_from_home_checklist_20032020.pdf.
If you have been asked to work at home, it may be possible to claim a tax deduction for costs associated with working at home as well, see below some examples:
- https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/Deductions-you-can-claim/Home-office-expenses/#Example2
- https://www.etax.com.au/home-office-expenses/
- https://www.moneymag.com.au/tax-deductions-working-from-home-coronavirus
- https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/tax/working-from-home-coronavirus-tax-claim/
- https://www.smh.com.au/money/tax/working-from-home-how-to-claim-your-home-office-tax-deductions-20200318-p54b9q.html
But back to our home school/ University/office. We now have the challenge of working from home with 4 furry friends and these pictures will show you just how important they are for our productivity. Picture 1 is our home school, laptop open, phone on the ready and one feisty chihuahua placed strategically on the lap. Picture 2 is my office floor, and Picture three is our University lecture hall, where no fewer then 2 furry friends enjoy the lectures on “Marketing and Culture”.
There has been much research done on the ‘Positive Impact on Students” that animals can provide. Key findings in the study include:
- “Behavioural Impact: When an animal is brought into a classroom setting, students are more likely to follow instructions and to focus on a task. They ask more appropriate questions and engage with their teacher more. There are fewer emotional outbursts and more positive behaviours.
- Social Interaction: The studies show that when there are animals present in classroom settings, students start paying attention and sitting still. In fact, one study showed kids actually paid more attention to the teacher in the presence of a dog.
- Attitude Improvement: These studies also found that the presence of a dog in the classroom can improve children's attitude toward school and helps them to learn responsibility, respect and empathy”. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/classroom-pets-arent-just-for-fun-new-research-reveals-animals-positive-impact-on-students-300510881.html
In a world were we now have to practice “social isolation”, I know I can at least hug a furry friend without worrying we have exchanged more than a hug. In these uncertain times, embrace the changes, look for the good things that will come from this (such as more family time 😊), and please look after your heath both mentally and physically. Here at ABS we moving all our classes to an online offering, something we have struggled with in the past, but have now fully embraced. Crisis certainly does breed innovation!
Associate Professor Lisa Barnes,
Head of Avondale Business School