From leaving work on time, to playing with an office dog and getting together with new friends, today could make for a great day

It’s Bring Your Dog to Work Day

Today is the best workday of the year for desk-bound dog lovers. Keep your fingers crossed that you see your colleague’s pooch in today’s planning meeting, while raising money for a good cause - today’s nationwide event aims to raise money for animal welfare charities All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia.

Now seems as good a time as any to remind you (and your HR manager) that the presence of pets in the workplace can substantially reduce stress levels, increase job satisfaction and boost morale. Since Bring Your Dog To Work Day was established in 2014, a growing number of businesses across the UK are allowing dogs in the workplace.

Not only does the day raise funds, Bring Your Dog To Work Day is likely to boost office productivity and happiness - and it means hundreds, if not thousands, of pets around the UK can now go to work alongside their humans. What better way to spend the day?

Don’t have a dog in your office? Be sure to keep an eye on #BringYourDogToWorkDay to get your fix of doggo pictures.

Today is the start of The Great Get Together

The Great Get Together is inspired by Jo Cox MP, who was killed on 16 June 2016. Set up by Jo’s Foundation, it aims to bring people together in honour of Jo’s belief that “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Three years since her tragic death, thousands of people will come together to celebrate from 21st–23rd June, which would have been the late MP’s 45th birthday. The charity says, “There is a groundswell of people who reject divisive politics and simply want to bring our communities together and celebrate all that unites us. This is our chance.”

The weekend will see communities hold parties, BBQs, set up clubs and a range of events to support Jo’s work. Several thousand get-togethers will be taking place all over the country, joining in unison to put her words into action.

Whether it’s a party, a coffee with your new neighbours or maybe a big picnic in the park, we can all celebrate and continue what Jo worked endlessly for and tackle the issues she cared about. To get involved you can find an event near you or donate.

It’s the Longest Day of the Year - Go Home on Time

Today is the summer solstice, which makes it the longest day of the year. Charity Working Families have deemed today Go Home on Time Day, a campaign to highlight parents’ struggles with overwork and to start a national discussion about work-life balance and employee wellbeing.

The charity’s research, in partnership with Bright Horizons, shows that parents across the UK struggle to take control of their time at work. 60% of the parents surveyed said they have to work extra hours to keep on top of their workload and almost half of parents (47%) report that work gets in the way of spending time with their children.

While Working Families’ research focuses on parents - who face unique challenges when it comes to balancing work and care - the charity’s campaign is for anyone who wants better work-life balance.

“Work-life balance isn't just for parents: it's for everyone,” said Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families. More widespread, genuinely flexible, human-sized jobs will deliver benefits for both businesses and all workers. Working people who are burnt out and disengaged are not going to perform as well – which is bad for business, bad for the economy, and, perhaps most crucially, bad for families.

“Go Home on Time Day is a chance for working people across the UK to unplug and spend time with loved ones. And it’s an opportunity for employers to consider what improvements they can make to their workplace culture to support their employees’ wellbeing. Our aim is for going home on time to be the norm, not the exception.”

You can honour the day by leaving work on time and by tweeting #gohomeontime.

However you choose to spend the day, make sure to take some time out for some self-care today, whether that’s asking to stroke the office pooch or leaving the office at 5:00pm sharp.