The BVA has recently created a new voluntary code which encourages practice owners and teams to create a good working environment. We at VetX believe this is a much needed initiative that will work towards lowering the attrition rate in the veterinary profession.

The Good Veterinary Workplaces Voluntary Code sets out various criteria for what makes a good workplace, including health and wellbeing, diversity and equality, workload and flexibility, and providing opportunities for personal and career development. Teams will also be asked to assess areas for improvement and any HR and management processes that need to be put in place to achieve a positive workplace culture.

The BVA says it decided to develop the Good Veterinary Workplaces policy off the back of an extensive body of work looking at workforce issues in the profession, including recruitment and retention challenges, a lack of diversity across the workforce, and general high levels of stress and burn-out in veterinary teams.

How Can You Improve Your Practice?

If you are a veterinary leader or practice owner looking to properly implement criteria on The Good Veterinary Workplaces Code and beyond, you should definitely consider becoming part of the VetX:Leaders community. It has always been our mission to provide the non-clinical skills essential to veterinary leaders by teaching modules on setting a vision, recruitment, performance management, and more. We believe that it can and should be possible to lead a successful and happy career in the veterinary profession. We MUST make this happen. For more information on how VetX:Leaders could help you, click here.

Gudrun Ravetz, Chair of the Good Workplace Working Group, said: “Each and every one of us deserves to work in a setting where we feel valued, supported and fairly rewarded for the contribution we make, but sadly this isn’t the reality for all veterinary professionals. By setting out the steps that all veterinary workplaces can take to offer a more welcoming and inclusive environment, with measures in place to help them address issues and continue to improve, we hope to see more workplaces where staff can thrive and enjoy a fulfilling career.”

Creating a psychologically safe, open and kind workplace culture starts with the leader. Don’t get left behind: start transforming your leadership and your practice for the better. 

The full story from BVA: www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/good-veterinary-workplaces/