Stress, burnout, discrimination, and lack of career progression all contribute to the retention crisis in the veterinary profession.
To tackle the ‘leaky bucket’ of vets leaving the profession first we need to fully understand the issues vets are facing, and then we need to change the culture to create more supportive veterinary workplaces.
#TimeForChange #TeamVet #BigConversation
Our research found that 37% of vets were actively thinking about leaving the profession. Vets are more likely to suffer burnout and consider leaving the profession if they don't feel valued, don't feel like they fit in, or don't have role models. Vets who feel they belong and have an expectation they will succeed in their careers are more likely to feel they have a good work:life balance, even if their hours are long.
Vets' day to day experiences have the greatest impact on their satisfaction with their work. We need to fix the ‘leaky bucket’ and that means it's time to change the workplace culture.
Join our Big Conversation on social media using #TimeForChange and #BigConversation. Don't forget to tag @BritishVets
Help develop our position on what makes a Good Veterinary Workplace by sharing your ideas with our policy team.
Our ground-breaking research found that 24% of working vets and vet students have experienced or witnessed discrimination in the past year, yet only 56% of the profession said they feel concerned about discrimination.
This study, carried out with the University of Exeter, provides evidence that having role models, feeling that you 'fit in', and feeling valued would likely improve the experiences of vets and improve the retention of skilled and motivated staff.
This study, undertaken with the University of Exeter, demonstrated that there are differences in how some managers perceive, treat, and pay male and female vets. This was based on whether or not they believed women in the profession still face discrimination.
Effective delegation of work can impact job satisfaction within the veterinary team. Our vision is for the vet-led team to use a 'hub and spoke' model that will benefit both the veterinary workforce and animal health and welfare.
Veterinary medicine courses must be well-structured and adequately funded to produce well-respected and adaptable vets who are leaders in animal health and welfare. Increasing the number of veterinary students alone won’t provide a holistic, long-term approach to making sure we have enough vets in the workforce. We need to address both recruitment and retention.
Discrimination in the veterinary profession exists, so why are many colleagues reluctant to believe it? - Daniella Dos Santos
Mental Health Awareness Week: Mind Matters Initiative - Lisa Quigley
It’s time for a culture change - Daniella Dos Santos
It’s not about millennials or women - Daniella Dos Santos
Are you Mark or Elizabeth? In 2018, it really shouldn’t matter - Gudrun Ravetz
Why the focus on gender? - Christopher T. Begeny
The design of the 'Mark' and 'Elizabeth' study - Christopher T. Begeny
What do the results of the ‘Mark’ and ‘Elizabeth’ study mean? Christopher T. Begeny
LOGIN