Practices that invest in developing a team-based culture can reduce employee turnover, enhance the workplace environment, and improve profitability. Practices hoping to hire and retain talent should consider that potential employees are looking for purpose and flexibility in the workplace. Employees want to feel respected and valued, which are products of a healthy practice culture.
It is not enough to start a veterinary business, hire some employees, schedule appointments and go to work. Instead, practices that want to avoid crippling staffing shortages must reduce employee turnover and invest in establishing a healthy, team-based practice culture (Gosselin, 2022).
The Practice Culture Subcommittee has identified the 7 pillars that contribute to a positive workplace culture:
- Non-Salary Benefits
- Physical & Mental Safety
- Connection & Community
- Mattering at Work
- Professional & Personal Life
- Communication
- Opportunities for Growth
Resources to strengthen these pillars in your practice are available below.
For each pillar, the subcommittee has developed a variety of resources that can help you make positive changes for the long-term benefit of your practice, your staff, your clients, and your patients.
Newest Resource
Building a Thriving Equine Veterinary Practice - A Culture Transformation Toolkit
The Practice Culture Subcommittee hopes the detail in this toolkit will help equine veterinarians better understand workplace culture and seek to implement these tools to improve equine practice.
Communication Pillar
Tool: Communication Boundaries for the Equine Practice Handbook
For both practice owners and associates, this resource discusses how to set effective boundaries in practice through conversation. Situational examples include both client and practice team communication.
Connection & Community Pillar
Watch the video Building Connection & Community in Equine Practice today; better yet, watch it with your team, together! You will see personal examples of how community and connection have affected several of your colleagues in their journey as equine veterinarians.
Mattering at Work Pillar
Tool: Employee Reward & Recognition Assessment
Use this survey with your employees to gather personal preferences about recognition in the workplace.
Tool: Giving & Receiving Feedback – A Survey for Employees
Feedback plays a crucial role in developing talent, teamwork and morale. Use this survey to learn about the preferred communication style of each practice team member.
Non-Salary Benefits Pillar
Tool: Non-Salary Benefits Survey
Use this survey with both current employees and potential hires to determine which benefits are most important or attractive. It can be tailored to the options that you currently offer while also leaving room for creative new ideas.
Opportunities for Growth Pillar
Tool: The Stay Interview: Guidance for Leaders
Stay interviews are conducted with current employees to help a business better understand why an employee may or may not feel satisfied in their position.
Physical and Mental Safety Pillar
Tool: The Key to Successful Teams for the Equine Practice Owner Handbook
Fostering a sense of safety and belonging can transform your practice team.
Professional & Personal Life Pillar
Tool: Work-Life Integration
Creating harmony between one’s personal life and career is a crucial aspect of any caregiving profession, and the equine veterinary field is no exception. Learn about the key components of Work-Life Integration to help you and your team members achieve greater personal and profession harmony.
