New Study Reveals Link Between Specific Leadership Actions and Veterinary Practice Culture

A new study from VetX International has found a link between leadership actions and practice culture. 
The research conducted by Dr. Dermot McInerney and Dr. Dave Nicol found that leaders looking to cultivate a great culture should focus on the following four factors: time management, vision, recruitment, and workplace toxicity. 
Working on all these four factors significantly improved veterinary workspaces. 
Other highlights of the study included that: 
1- 73.9% of leaders struggle to find time for leadership priorities. 
2- 39.1% struggle to address toxic behaviors
3- 65.2% found attracting and recruiting new talent difficult
To check out the study, click here. 

Employers Dish Out Generous Signing Bonuses To Attract Talent 

A surge in job vacancies has driven a rise in signing-on bonuses in veterinary medicine and beyond. 
According to Forbes, businesses all across the US are offering sizable incentives to draw in new talent. Bandfield pet hospital, for instance, has been offering up to $60,000 for veterinary-related roles. 
While great news for those looking to switch up their careers, this isn’t great for small practices that may already struggle to compete with practice conglomerates. It may also lead to some very poor short-term decisions where money is prioritized over values within veterinary management. 
For more on this story, click here.

40% Of Vets Consider Their Workplace As ‘Very Good’

A survey from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has found that almost half of vets consider their workplaces as ‘very good’. 
The research, released to mark the first year of the BVA’s Good Veterinary Workplaces Voluntary Code (a scheme which looks to improve veterinary workplaces), additionally found that around 47% of vets felt their workplace were ‘fairly good’, 9% describing them as not good at all. 
In a statement, BVA senior vice president Daniella Dos Santos said: 
‘While many challenges look set to continue, I would really urge every veterinary workplace to use these tools [as in, the voluntary code] and ‘get started’. These are improvements that will make working life easier, less stressful, and more rewarding for the whole team. And really it doesn’t matter where you start, as long as you start somewhere.’
‘I know how daunting it can seem, that there is so much to do, that even knowing where to start is terrifying, but the first step is the key one, the rest will follow.’
‘This is a real opportunity for us all to work together to make a long-term difference to the profession, making it better for ourselves and for those who will follow us in the future.’
For more on this story, click here.

Banfield Pet Hospital Invest $10 Million To Help Create Diverse, Sustainable Workplaces

One of the largest providers of animal care in the US has pledged millions of dollars to help support Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students looking to go into veterinary medicine. 
They have partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help encourage high school students to pursue a veterinary vocation. 
The scheme has been introduced in light of veterinary shortages across the US. Currently, around 75 million pets in the US may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030. 
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Lack of Access To Quarantine Spaces Puts Vets And Their Patients At Risk 

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), is calling for the government to take action regarding the lack of quarantine spaces available for vets entering the country. 
After being unable to reserve (at least) two rooms a week in a government facility for overseas vets, the organization is concerned that the government is putting professionals at risk by limiting the number entering the market. 
While sporting stars and entertainers can organize a quarantine space within a matter of days, the same priority has not been given to vets, causing considerable frustration. 
For more on this story, click here.   

How Leaders And Their Employees Can Combat Stress

Work-related stress can result from several reasons. Poor organization, work design, management, and support are all contributing factors. 
But what are some ways leaders (and their employees) can beat stress and flourish in practice?

Work-Life Balance- Lead By Example 

Sometimes, employees can feel pressured to exert themselves mentally and physically when there is a culture of burnout and overworking within a practice. 
If you want to foster an inclusive and less stressful work environment, the first step is to lead by example. Take time off, and encourage others to do so too. Refrain from sending emails out of hours, and don’t respond to those emails either. Recognize good work, and highlight systemic issues which may be holding everyone back.

Make Work Prioritise Clear 

No one wants to look like they’re not pulling their weight at work. This can lead to employees and even leaders feeling like they have to say ‘yes’ to EVERYTHING, creating a crazy workload and amount of stress. 
Everyone’s duties and tasks should be clear to prevent someone from being overburdened. This helps prevent disputes over tasks as well, and therefore reduces communicative-related stressors. 

Schedule (Or Request) Regular One-On-One Meetings

One-on-one’s can help leaders, as well as employees, keep tabs on each other (in terms of workload, disputes, etc), preventing escalation. Intentional communication with the team will also help reduce stress-inducing miscommunications. 
For more stress-busting tips, click here.