3 tips to manage your professional life when your personal life takes over

25 November 2019

Your young hockey prodigy attains AAA level hockey? Do you dream of going back to school or completing a certification? Thirty is coming, and a trip to Asia would be appropriate to highlight this passage? An animal shelter in Africa is looking for volunteers? How to manage your professional life when you decide to prioritize your personal life for a moment?

THE EXCITATION GUILT

An exciting project usually comes with a little guilt and stress. Give yourself winning conditions to take full advantage of the present moment and not to feel torn because you feel needed in the clinic. We often think of our colleagues who compensate for our absence. Still, you deserve your time.

1- DE-GUILT 

Explain to your employer and co-workers about this project that lives in your home. They will be more empathetic and will probably become supporters. We all need to revitalize or reinvent ourselves at some point. Better to realize your dreams than to live with regrets – that has a high potential to lead to depression and exhaustion.

2- PLANNING

For your own peace of mind, plan ahead: tell your employer and colleagues so they have time to redistribute your work and find support. A few weeks notice is not enough because you will have a rushed departure that will leave your colleagues with a bitter taste as well as leaving you feeling stressed.

3- FOCUS ON THE “UNDER PROMISE – OVER DELIVER” APPROACH

This old strategy is full of wisdom! When we feel guilty, we have the annoying tendency to try to save “goat and cabbage”. We propose a compromise where nobody is a winner; we promise a shorter stay or keep 1 to 2 shifts, although we know very well that this is not realistic.

Better stick to your plan and even overstate the time required for the project. It is better to suspend your professional activities while you find your routine. You will be able to do replacements if you feel the need and your employer does not have a job for you (we anticipate a shortage in the profession for the next 10 years, hard to believe that you will have nothing to do!). Nobody will be disappointed, and the chances are that you will enjoy more of your personal life.

Oxilia becomes an ideal partner during these interludes, as much for the veterinary owners as for the employees who are absent. Whether you have a few days or even months to devote, locally or to the other end of the country, we have a challenge adapted to your reality!

Do not forget :
You determine your hourly rate.
You choose the mandates that interest you.
You have no non-compete clause.

Be sure to share this article with your colleagues. You can also like our Facebook page to keep track of what will come next on our platform.

Finding your dream employer!

11 November 2019

Locum or permanent employee? We’ve got you covered.

Let’s be real. Your work team and your boss’s attitude are the 2 biggest reasons why you either love… or hate your job! Working 40 hours a week in an environment that does not fit with your values can be taxing.

Oxilia offers many advantages when you want to change jobs without necessarily doing full-time replacement. Why should you do replacement work while you are looking for a stable team to establish your new self? It is certainly more careful to test the waters in different work environments before committing to one. It can help you determine what you like and what you don’t like in order to choose your new employer wisely.

Doing various work mandates is the best way to test if a certain work environment suits you without having to do long interviews and without the stress of having to negotiate your hourly rate.

Isn’t it frustrating to find out that a job doesn’t suit you after all the energy you put into your job searching process? What a disappointment to realize that you had a wrong perception of the job or that some promises were broken!

Oxilia offers you the opportunity to do various replacement mandates in order to find THE perfect permanent job that suits you! When you work 3 months in a practice, you have the opportunity to convert your contract in order to become a permanent employee!

Either to simply find replacement opportunities or find a new permanent job, we are going to help you at Oxilia!

 

Do not forget :

You determine your hourly rate.

You choose the mandates that interest you.

You have no non-compete clause.

 

Be sure to share this article with your colleagues. You can also like our Facebook page to keep track of what will come next on our platform.

Veterinary and AHT locums, the misunderstood?

14 October 2019

We hear many different preconceived impressions of locums, and we hear them regularly! The comments stand out and are common to both the community of dedicated AHT and Veterinarians who use Oxilia. They are so frequent, we decided to make a list to demystify the topic!

LOCUMS ONLY THINK ABOUT MONEY?!

Locums appreciate the fact that they determine the value of their services. But imagine that it is their only motivation, their professional life would be very painful! In fact, here’s what our members report as a source of motivation:

-Work in different institutions to find one that they really like;

-Learn faster by being exposed to a variety of styles of practice;

-Can combine travel and work. This practice is not new, there have always been locums to help out in remote areas;

-The ability to reconcile several projects, such as a return to school, frequent trips without causing conflict within a stable team.

LOCUMS DO NOT DEVELOP A BOND WITH THE REST OF THE TEAM AND HAVE NO SENSE OF BELONGING

Even we are surprised to see some form of “routine” among locums and institutions! Many locums divide their time between a small number of clinics, 2-3 normally. They do indeed find a “fit” with the teams! Many are invited to the Christmas party!
Over time, we see locums moving into full-time positions. AHT’s and veterinarians, by their helping nature towards animals, are generally gregarious people.

LOCUMS ARE NOT PRODUCTIVE! IT’S LIKE HAVING A NEW EMPLOYEE.

Oh, that’s wrong! Our theory: we suspect that substitutes develop the areas of their brains responsible for the adaptability and management of stress: the hippocampus, amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. They are able to adapt very quickly to new environments that are normally a source of stress for individuals who stay longer in their comfort zone! A bit like a frequent traveler arriving at an unknown station, he finds his bearings almost automatically. In addition, many testify to us that they accumulate all the tricks of the trade by working with a variety of professionals in a variety of settings!

LOCUMS MUST BE FICKLE IF THEY CHANGE PLACES OFTEN

This preconception looks like the previous one! Remember that each locum is like a mini-entrepreneur; if the customer is not satisfied with the performance, his services will no longer be solicited. They want to prove to you that you made a good choice by selecting them. Veterinary medicine is a small world…

LOCUMS DO NOT HAVE A STABLE JOB OR A FIXED SALARY

The majority of locums do have a fixed job and therefore a salary. Locums will come to help out the clinic for a variety of reasons; variety in their experience, fitting hours, help high volume clinics meet their demands, to prove oneself, and to obtain a supplementary income. Some locums do it full time. On the other hand, it is rarely a situation that lasts for decades. Changes in personal life (young children, a new spouse, a move, aging parents, etc.) are pushing them to adjust their schedules and seek more or less stability. You see, these locums could be you! Let’s be honest, no one studies veterinary medicine to become rich. It is the passion to help animals that inhabit us and we all share the desire to make their lives better. The Oxilia team has the chance to interact daily with its members and we have a certainty; We are proud to help meet the human resource needs of caring professionals who want as many animals as possible to receive high quality care.

Be sure to share this article with your colleagues. You can also like our Facebook page to keep track of what will come next on our platform.

5 important questions to find the right employer

7 October 2019

Taking the leap and finding a new workplace is a source of stress for the majority of people. That means leaving our “old slippers” to find new ones that, hopefully, will fit better. It’s redoing our morning and evening routines, building relationships with a new team, relearning protocols and a price list by heart. In short, it’s an exciting time, but one that requires adaptation.

Several AHTs and veterinarians shared their experience with disappointment in taking on a new permanent job, which motivated them to look for something else. Some of the complaints from the veterinarians included: A lack of technicians to help them; no time to fill in their files; appointments every 15 minutes, declawing practices, etc. Some of the complaints from technicians included: being given routine tasks that are below their capabilities; underutilization of their technical knowledge, main duties as reception, etc.

After so many stories, we thought: why not make a list of questions to help you get a better idea of what the new job will really be like! Plus, asking questions during your interview is a sign of interest and demonstrates that you take the topic to heart.

1- CORPORATE CULTURE

Basically, you want to know what the mission is (what motivates the team), the vision (in which direction the company is heading) and the values ​​of the practice:

• Is it a practice in the region that wants to keep veterinary care and services accessible?
• Is it a reference center where technology and expertise are paramount?
• Is the focus on preventive care?
• Is it more than walk-in?
• Is the team fueling adrenaline?

Also, think about your own values ​​about declawing, euthanasia for convenience, and the team’s approach to stress reduction. Each establishment is different, you must find the one that suits you.

2- COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Go beyond the hourly rate and try to get a full picture of benefits. In large companies, you would be presented with “total compensation”, where all the benefits are listed:

• Do you have a budget for continuing education?
• Is there an employer contribution to the Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan (VRSP)?
• If you are doing a certification or working on weekends, do you have a bonus?
• What discounts do you get on veterinary care for your own animals?
• How many paid sick days are available and can you get them as a salary if you do not exhaust your bank?
• What is the number of weeks of vacation?

Think also about work-life balance:
• Can you take unpaid time off to travel or to care for a family member or return to school?
• Is it possible to make schedules per 12 hour block?

3- TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The chances are that you arrive in a well-established team and that older members have specific tasks and responsibilities. Ask clearly what yours are:

• You love dentistry, does a senior AHT already have this role?
• We want to give you the weight loss program, but it’s not your cup of tea, is there any way to do something else?
• Will you mainly have phone calls to make?

It is wiser to know concretely about the list of tasks. If they are all shared within the team, ask who determines this rotation.

4- POSSIBILITY OF GROWTH WITHIN THE COMPANY

Being an AHT or veterinarian is so rewarding! The work keeps us so busy and engaged we don’t see where the time goes. If you are curious and love to grow, you may be going in circles if there is no career development plan in place:

• Can you develop new skills?
• Management fascinates you, will it be possible to follow some training and apply the concepts within this organization?
• You have the entrepreneurial fiber: can you become a shareholder in this veterinary practice?
• Do you want to develop an expertise in behavior or social media, is it possible?

Discuss your long-term vision of your career to validate if it coincides with that of the company.

5- ENGAGEMENT IN A CAUSE

Veterinary teams are known for volunteering and rescuing small creatures in need. Ask how this is expressed in this practice:

• Is there one supported organization more than another?
• What happens when orphaned or stray animals end up in practice and need care?
• Is the team open to other employee initiatives?

After all these questions, you still cannot find your dream employer? Perhaps you should consider yourself a self-employed person and mainly do locum work which will allow you to visit many practices and get a feel for them.

More and more workers, in all fields, prefer to be their “own boss” and have the freedom to make the decisions that concern them. Nothing prevents you from returning to the world of employees afterwards. Tip: Many find the perfect formula between their passion for animals, teamwork and a balanced personal life.

Oxilia: Fall in love with your work

These questions will make sure you see if what you are looking for matches the job offered. On the other hand, there is always a risk that the promises or the impression you had are false. The best way to check is to experiment.

At Oxilia, we are fully aware of this need, which is why we offer not only replacement services but also recruitment! We offer this service free of charge to AHT’s, veterinarians and students.

The process is simple: You can try out a clinic during a schedule that works for both of you (whether that’s once a week or full time for a couple of weeks), and then you decide whether you become a permanent employee or not, if the employer agrees.

You determine your hourly rate.
You choose the mandates that interest you.
You have no non-compete clause.

So you can test several places of work before finding the team of your dreams. The employer will be happy to convert your contract into a permanent position.

Everyone will be happy :-)!

Be sure to share this article with your colleagues. You can also like our Facebook page to keep track of what will come next on our platform.

Mind your own business!

23 September 2019

What a bad title! You do not even know why you clicked on the link. By pure curiosity probably. This is in contrast to the more inspiring titles that extol happiness, work-life balance and mindfulness. Being yourself and being well surrounded is what matters the most. This is where the concept of freedom catches up with us: savoring one’s freedom is usually because one has given oneself the financial means to get there! Hence the importance of looking after one’s business in order to be able to afford a certain freedom. Without planning, you will always have the impression of running after time.

Some say that bohemians live on only a few dollars a day. For the majority of animal health professionals, we have fixed obligations that make voluntary simplicity unattainable: rent or mortgage to pay, a car, children to dress, etc. Your fingers scrolling on the photos of friends on travel posted on Instagram or Facebook make you dream. Can you afford it? You have to start by saving.

THE WEIGHT WATCHERS APPROACH TO SAVING

Shedding some extra pounds and shedding unnecessary expenses share several ingredients in the recipe for success. It’s hard to get there in a few days; we have to re-educate ourselves and understand our mechanisms that make us give up or succeed.

Steps:

• State your savings: how many TFSAs? RRSP? Are the balance of your credit cards paid every month? Do you have a budget that determines your monthly expenses? Without an inventory of your finances, you risk going round in circles in your living room!

 

• Do you set a goal: A trip? A home or condo purchase? What amount and in how long? This is the fun part of the process!

 

• Determine a weekly goal that is realistic: how much do you have to save each week? Look at your savings account to make sure you stay on track. Waiting until the end of the month to make a statement is risky.

 

• Resist temptation: learn to detect moments of weakness. Like food, impulsive shopping is done when we are tired or stressed. You have to learn to recognize these signs and put a plan in place so you do not give up!

AFTER HIDDEN CALORIES, PAY ATTENTION TO HIDDEN FEES!

We jump when we realize the astronomical amount of calories that a Caesar salad contains. Chances are that the same shock will shake you if you calculate all the fees you pay at your bank! These are amounts that eat away at your “freedom” capital.

Tip: Invest in a TFSA that will allow you to keep the capital gain tax-free and use a platform that allows you to buy index funds that offer a diversified investment tool that tracks the fund’s performance, but for which management fees are a fraction of a standard common fund. Even Warren Buffett recommends it!

 There are a multitude of platforms that allow you to manage your investments with peace of mind. Examples are Wealth Simple, Wealth Bar, Nest Wealth, BMO Smartfolio. Our favorite is Wealth Simple which some members of the team could try. Transparency, simplicity, security and very affordable (0.5% compared to 2.2-2.5% usual).

 Many users even come to watch the amount of money raised every day and thus overcome the temptation to spend unnecessarily. By mingling with your business, this is how you realizes your dreams!

Be sure to share this article with your colleagues. You can also like our Facebook page to keep track of what will come next on our platform.

Recruiting long-term employees without breaking the bank

9 September 2019

Why Your Self-Employed Hourly Rate Must Be Higher Than the Average Employee

3 June 2019

Self-Employed Status Comes with Perks and Financial Duties!

When it is time to put a value on your work and what to ask for in terms of compensation, we often rely on peers and colleagues for suggestions. As a locum, don’t make the mistake of comparing your hourly rate to a friend or classmate’s rate of pay, especially when they are employed.  When setting your hourly rate, it’s important to understand the key differences between hourly compensation of a self-employed locum and a regular employee.

What are the Differences?

As a locum, you are your own boss, accountant, and financial advisor, and as such, you determine when, where and how much you work; and as a result of this you directly influence the amount of money that you earn. You also have the freedom to decide how much you need to earn based on your personal lifestyle and financial obligations.

Insecurities

As a locum, and since you earn your income by contracting with veterinary clinics, you have far more uncertainties and insecurities than someone who has a stable job. These assignments tend to be short-term, not guaranteed, and in some cases, can be terminated before the end of the contract.  As you know, working as a self-employed contractor doesn’t come with a guaranteed paycheck and secure benefits each week, meaning that you have to carefully plan your income flow.

Income Protection

If you are self-employed as a locum in Canada, you are also not entitled to the same benefits provided to regular full-time employees, should you lose your job (and it is not your fault). In Canada, self-employed individuals area able to access Employment Insurancethrough the government for special circumstances such as maternity leave and compassionate care (caregiver)[1].

Expenses and Fees

When you work as a locum you do not have a benefits package or “perks” like those individuals that are employed by a company or corporation. As a result, you are responsible for paying for your own:

• Insurance (life, disability, etc.)
• Continuing education
• Vacation and sick time
• Retirement and Pension[2]*
• Professional fees
• Taxes

 

*When you are employed in Canada, you and your employer pay a determined amount of money (based on your income) into the Canadian Pension Plan. However, if you are self-employed, you must pay both yours and the amount the employers would pay into this fund each year; so essentially, your contribution is double that of individuals that work as an employee.

Not only do you have the required expenses that most people think of as obligations associated with self-employment, but you have all of the little things that can add up quickly. These can be things as simple as:

 

• Travel expenses
• Licensing fees and Veterinary Professional Liability Insurance
• Office equipment (computer, copier, fax, etc.)
• Internet
• Telephone
• Office supplies (paper, pens, printer ink, etc.)
• Rent and utilities
• Legal or accounting fees
• House and pet sitting while you are away
• Marketing (websites, business cards, etc.)
• Postage

 

 

Determining Your Hourly Rate

 

At Oxilia, the question of determining the hourly rate is one of the most frequently asked questions by animal health professionals. Here are some statistics generated by our system by region and type of professionals, as of January 31, 2019. We divided the information by the highest, the lowest, and the group average. The province of Quebec has the largest difference between the highest and lowest hourly rates, probably because Oxilia has the largest community of users.

 

	Veterinarian Locums			RVT Locums
Hourly Rate ($) CAD by Canadian province	Low	Average	High	Low	Average	High
Quebec	45.00	74.00	120.00	18.00	22.40	30.00
Alberta	65.00	65.50	70.00	22.00	27.60	35.00
Ontario	55.00	68.28	100.00	18.00	23.50	28.00
British-Columbia	65.00	67.00	75.00	21.00	22.00	25.00
Maritimes	55.00	67.50	80.00	21.00	22.00	25.00

 

Obviously, there are other variables that will have an impact on the hourly rate : years of experience, if an internship have been completed, the individual type of personality, capable of doing dental and orthopedic surgical cases, etc. You will find our tips in this popular article on “Tips to become the perfect locum and increase your value!”

 

 

[1]“Government of Canada- EI Special Benefits for Self-Employed People – Overview.” 18 Jan 2019, https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-self-employed-workers.html

 

[2]“Quick Books- Canada Pension Plan Contributions for Self-Employed Entrepreneurs.” https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ca/resources/future-planning/cpp-contributions-self-employed-entrepreneurs/

10 Financial-Free Ways to Reward Your Employees

2 June 2019

Studies show that it isn’t just salary that keeps employees showing up for work every day.

 

When scouting veterinary and RVT job openings, we see the same perks being offered over and over again – a signing bonus, competitive health insurance and retirement plans, annual salary increases, etc.

 

Monetary incentives are a great way to get employees in the door, but it won’t necessarily keep them there. When employees are engaged and feel valued on a regular basis for the work they do, they are much more likely to stay on your team than to walk out the door in search of “better” opportunity. Here are ten ways to keep your team happy and engaged without putting a dent in your bottom line.

 

Flexible Hours

Time is a precious commodity that is in short supply these days. Offering your employees flexible work hours allows them to stress less about picking up their kids from day care or studying for those classes they’re taking during their off-hours. Permitting employees to make their own hours while still working their requisite shift can also help employees avoid rush hour traffic, especially if they have a long commute.  A more flexible work schedule shows your employees that you trust them and that you realize their time is valuable.  The concept of flexible work hours is not only ideal for promoting a healthy work-life balance but for increasing efficiency, as well. Once an employee’s work is done for the day, allow them to go home rather than have them stand around watching the clock tick toward quitting time.

 

Recognition Programs

While monetized incentive programs are great for employee retention, they can cost companies significant amounts of money every year. Sometimes, a simple “thank you” is very effective, and better yet, costs absolutely nothing for your business. In fact, one studyfound almost 60% of employees said being recognized for their work was the best way for bosses to keep employees and promote more productivity. In addition to offering employees a verbal “thank you” for a job well done, sites like Bonuslyand KudosNowempower everyone in the workplace to offer recognition to their peers, their direct reports, and their managers on a social media-like digital platform. An additional studyshowed over 40% of companies that used peer-to-peer recognition saw an improvement in the satisfaction of their customer base.

 

Gifts that Keep on Giving

Bagels on Monday mornings or buying lunch for your staff every Friday is a wonderful treat, but why not show your appreciation with a gift that lasts? Consider giving an employee to whom you’re thankful for a magazine subscription on a topic they love or a recurring gift like record-of-the-month for music lovers, Sketchboxfor those wanting to unleash their inner artist, or Cairnfor the outdoor enthusiast. These types of gifts not only serve as a continual reminder of how appreciative you are, but they’re also highly personalized, which shows you make the effort to really get to know your staff.

 

Let Your Employees Lead the Way

Have a vet tech who is an expert on essential oils or a veterinary assistant who moonlights as a yoga instructor? Let them take the lead at the next staff meeting and share what they know. Not only will they likely receive positive recognition for sharing what they know with their peers, but they’ll relieve the burden of planning and running every training session while building a strong positive work culture at the same time.

 

Team Building

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to team building activities, making it easy to find something that will appeal to all your employees. Choose from an out-of-office excursion like an escape room, bowling, white water rafting, karaoke, or a scavenger hunt around town. Or organize an activity that doesn’t require anyone to leave the clinic like hosting a craft or game night.

 

Give Employees a Sense of Purpose

It should go without saying, those working in the veterinary field are animal lovers. Why not choose a charitable organization – animal-related or otherwise – to donate to? Involve your entire staff or team in the selection process. Let them recommend which charity that should donate funds to, hold a vote, and then donate a portion of the company’s annual revenue to the winning charity.

 

Allow Time Off for Volunteering

Take giving back one step further and allow employees to go off-site and volunteer somewhere for a day without having to use their personal time off (PTO). Veterinary employees can feel especially empowered when putting their animal saving skills to use on a volunteer basis. When a company or business supports such volunteer efforts on the part of their employees, it gives employees something to be proud of and to boast about, which can only enhance the status of your company within your community.

 

One study found when companies either support employees’ pro bono volunteer efforts or match their employees’ individual charitable donations, those employees are more likely to stay with the company and to put forth the extra effort to complete a task at their job without complaint. Better yet, volunteer as a team. The result will be two-fold – giving back to the community while also engaging in a team-building activity.

 

Offer One-on-One Time

Roundtable discussions and team meetings are a great way to collaborate and share what is and is not working in the workplace, however, one-on-one time with the boss can prove even more valuable by letting your employees know how much you appreciate them. Take time to meet with your employees on an individual basis and discuss goals, objectives, and anything else that is on their mind. Feeling supported and taking an interest in helping employees’ reach their goals is the quickest way to build a loyal team.[1]

 

Birthdays = Holidays

Who wouldn’t love to have the day off on their birthday? Giving your employees the day off on their birthday so they can celebrate and relax is an excellent way to not only show your appreciation for all the hard work they do but to also promote a healthy work/life balance.

 

Giving employees that extra day off can also be a morale booster, which, in turn, can translate into better employee retention.[2]

 

Say It in Writing

Whether you send a birthday card with a handwritten note, a thank you card, a letter detailing a job well done, or write a more formal letter of appreciation for your employee to keep in their professional file, taking the time to pen a personal message does wonders for boosting employee morale. Employees will appreciate the time you took to write a personal message. Plus, they’ll have something they can display on their desk or have for years to come.

 

While a handwritten, personalized note is ideal, giving employees a shout-out via email or on social media will not only make an individual employee feel special but will incentivize their co-workers to work harder so they can receive some well-deserved recognition, too.[3]

 

While we all work as a way to earn money and make a living, research demonstrates that money is not the primary reason people stay with their current employer. While being fairly compensated is important, employees want and need to feel valued, respected and appreciated; as an employer, you know it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1]“Top 10 Non-Financial Rewards to Motivate Employees”

[2]“6 of the Best Non-Financial Incentives for Employees”

[3]“Top 10 Non-Financial Rewards to Motivate Employees”

Burnout and Veterinary Practice Owners: Do You Know the Short and Long Term Effects?

1 June 2019

How a Bump in the Road Can Impact the Value of Your Practice.

Signs and Symptoms of Occupational Burnout

Veterinary clinic owners are the pillars of their practice. They are multi-tasking entrepreneurs that wear so many hats during a normal business day. Today, running a successful animal health practice requires the owner to have a full list of skills and knowledge. These go far beyond what is studied in school and include accounting, human resources, property management, equipment maintenance, and ordering and purchasing to name just a few. Vets tend to be over-achievers who believe that they are invincible. Despite the beliefs, you are human and are affected by stress just like anyone else.

The veterinary field is no different than other fields of medicine when it comes to stress, long hours, and a need for a healthy work-life balance. In fact, animal healthcare may be more stressful at times; you not only have a patient to evaluate and treat, but also have an owner(s) that is/are concerned about their pet’s ongoing needs and medical care. This, combined with professional and personal obligations associated with veterinary medicine, can lead to occupation burnout and potentially serious health issues.

The observation of compassion fatigue and occupational stress among professionals working in animal care occupations has gained interest over the past decade. Several studieswithin the last five years have evaluated this relationship and found that people caring for suffering animals and those involved in the process of euthanasia reported significantly greater levels of work stress and lower job satisfaction^[1]. This may result in employee turnover at higher rates than normal, psychological stress, and other conditions directly related to stress.

 

What is Occupational Burnout?

Occupational burnout is your mind and body’s reaction to chronic stress related to your occupation. The psychological, behavioral and physiological effects of occupational stress can lead to the classic signs of burnout. These can include lower levels of self‐esteem, motivation and job satisfaction, exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of reduced professional ability.

 

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of Burnout

The signs and symptoms can be divided into three main categories. They include physical and emotional exhaustion, feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment and cynicism and detachment. Each of these categories is characterized by certain signs and symptoms.

 

Signs of physical and emotional exhaustion:

 

• Insomnia
• Chronic fatigue
• Forgetfulness, impaired concentration, and attention
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Neuroticism
• Increased incidence of illness
• Physical symptoms including chest pain, headaches and gastrointestinal disorders

Signs of Ineffectiveness and Lack of Accomplishment

 

• Increased irritability
• Feelings of apathy and hopelessness
• Lack of productivity
• Poor work performance

Signs of Cynicism and Detachment

 

• Pessimism
• Loss of enjoyment
• Isolation
• Detachment

 

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education found that personality changes indicated above are an excellent predictor of occupational stress^[2]. Previous research focused on environmental factors and overlooked the influence on personality.

If you, any associates, or staff members are experiencing these symptoms, there is a good chance that you need to identify and address the factors that are affecting you. If you aren’t experiencing these symptoms, you should still keep these warning signs in mind. Burnout does not happen overnight. It is something that can creep up on you as you’re living your busy life. There are many ways to decrease stress and prevent burnout.

 

Ways to Decrease Stress and Prevent Burnout

Taking time out of each day to relieve stress from your mind and body is absolutely vital. Stress reduction can include anything from deep breathing exercises to a vigorous cardio workout. These preventative measures can be done before, during or after work. Some suggestions include:

• Take a walk (even during a lunch break)
• Watch a movie that makes you laugh
• Play a game with friends or family
• Paint, draw or write
• Try yoga, meditation or tai chi

 

You need to identify what makes you most stressful, the way you feel when this happens and what will work for youto decrease this stress. If you know that you are about to experience an event that is particularly stressful for you, take about 10 to 15 minutes for quiet time. During this time, you can practice deep breathing and gather your thoughts. The best thing you can do is to identify the situations or events that are triggers for stress and take immediate action. If you choose not to recognize them, you risk burnout.

Consequences of Burnout That Affect Veterinary Business Owners

The result of occupational stress can also impact the practice and may include lower levels of productivity and performance, loss of revenue and growth potential, poor relationships and teamwork, and increased absenteeism and turnover.

Loss of Revenue

The first place most clinic owners notice the impact of absenteeism is on their practice’s bottom line. If he or she needs to stop working, who will threat their patients or perform surgical procedures? Burnout can lead to lost wages, decreased productivity, poor quality of services and additional management time.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, on average, companies lose approximately 2.8 million workdays a year^[3]. They report that almost 2/3 of unscheduled absences have to do with illness and family issues. The others are due to personal needs, stress and workplace injuries.  In Canada, companies lose an estimated $16.6 billion in productivity each year due to workers calling in sick, as a result of mental health issues related to stress, disability, and financial concerns^[4].  As you are aware, it is far easier to hire an employee for a technical position than it is to replace a vet. There is greater impact if the vet clinic owner needs to be replaced (short of long-term) because of burn-out.

Leadership Abilities

The more time a person in a leadership role is on leave of absence, more difficult is becomes to keep the business on track.  In addition, absenteeism affects the other members of the team. The employees who continue to work are often burdened with extra duties, responsibilities, and overtime to fill in for missing coworkers. This can lead to feelings of frustration and a decline in morale.

Some businesses see a change in their team dynamic after the owner is out for just a 2-week vacation. Imagine what would happen with a 2-month leave. Some individuals might challenge the status quo and push to make changes; these could include changing effective schedules and protocols currently in place. These challenges can be difficult to overcome, especially for a returning vet owner who is not completely well or healed. The vet owner might decide to lower his or her expectations regarding  customer service standard.

Progressive Return

After an extended leave of absence, there may be a fear associated with working at full capacity. An individual returning after experience the consequences of burnout might need a progressive return and be concerned about the amount of time he or she is now investing. When you are a business owner, this reduction in the workload will ultimately negatively impact your income. It will also limit your availability for the pet owners who love you the most.

Growth Opportunities

If you are experiencing the symptoms of burnout as were discussed above (lower levels of self‐esteem, motivation and job satisfaction, exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of reduced professional ability), you might pass on an opportunity that could be beneficial.  This change in your energy level will have an impact on your clinic, and you as the driving force. These opportunities could include the expansion of the clinic, being involved in a local shelter or even starting a new project. It is like being forced to “take a back seat” while your competitors are excelling. If you see this in yourself, it’s time to make a change for the better.

Oxilia Can Help

For practice owners, temporary (or relief) veterinary staff can offer more than just relief from what seems to be endlessly stressful workdays. These qualified individuals can provide support during periods of temporary staffing shortages (vacations, medical and maternity leaves, etc.), and can make it possible for a practice to get qualified help without the financial commitment of adding a 40-hour-per-week staff member.

Staffing for Planned and Unexpected Absences

Everyone needs a break for one reason or another! As a successful business owner, you know that the doors to your clinic cannot close because of an illness, vacation or extended leave.  Oxilia has the resources and experience to match your needs with skilled veterinarians, animal health technicians or veterinary students.  Through our online recruitment platform, we have access to animal health professionals across Canada and are able to place these individuals in any setting throughout all ten provinces.

Expand Your Business and Generate More Revenue

Have you ever wanted to find more hours in the day? Our temporary placement service is here for you! Using a relief veterinarian, animal health technicians or veterinary student to grow your business can allow you the flexibility to add more hours of service, provide breaks for staff and reduce the burden of overtime. This can also help minimize staff leave of absences and possible turnover due to burnout. All while providing for your clients and patients with quality professional services, without the expenses associated with hiring a part-time or full-time associate. With Oxilia, you can utilize our available professionals on an as-needed basis. Use our staff to cover all of the demands of running a successful practice. We can you find the perfect relief professionals to suit your needs. Hire a relief veterinarian today!

 

^[1]“Interventions for occupational stress and compassion … – APA PsycNET.” 11 Sep. 2018, http://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-09296-001.

^[2]“The Effect of Personality on Occupational Stress … – jvme – UTP Journals.” https://jvme.utpjournals.press/doi/10.3138/jvme.0116-020R.

^[3]“4.2 million workers have illness-related work absences in January 2018.” 29 Mar. 2018, https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/4-point-2-million-workers-have-illness-related-work-absences-in-january-2018.htm?view_full.

^[4]“How Much Are You Losing to Absenteeism? | Mercer Canada.” 26 Apr. 2018, https://www.mercer.ca/en/our-thinking/how-much-are-you-losing-to-absenteeism.html.

Clinic Owner: Leave Your Practice Behind While You Travel Worry-Free

31 May 2019

Planning is key in order to enjoy your time off

There’s an old quotethatsays, “Plan for the worstandhope for the best”. This quote is basically telling us to do as much planning and preparation prior to leaving things in someone else’s hands. Just the thought of leaving your business in someone else’s hands can lead to many sleepless nights, and rightfully so! You’ve given your all into building a successful business, and know that any problems could affect your income, the bottom-line of the business, and your reputation for providing excellent customer service.

 

So, what could these problems include and what will you need to do to ensure success?  Planning ahead might include troubleshooting, delegating duties in your absence, or giving authority to a trusted employee. Any of these can cause stress and possibly prevent you from taking a well-deserved break from your work. Don’t let the fear of leaving your practice for a well-deserved vacation prevent you from enjoying life!  Start the planning process by identifying the specific source(s) of your stress.

Identify Your Source of Stress

According to a recent survey, only 57% of small business owners plan to take a vacation in the next twelve months and only 9% plan to travel for two full weeks[1]. What is it that causes you stress when you think about taking a vacation? In order to alleviate this stress, you must first identify it. Common causes of stress include:

– Human Resources Management

– Unforeseen Emergencies (fire, water damage, electrical outage)

– Client Complaints

– Your Replacement

Are you the business owner that is constantly checking emails or “just touching base” with your employees and clients while you are supposed to be relaxing awayfrom work? Individuals that are not clinic owners, may think that this is crazy. All they want to do is leave everything about work behind and forget about it until they have to return.

Are you and your business ready to take a break? There are key things that need to be in place in order for you to have peace of mind and know that things will be just fine while you are not in the office. Let’s take a look at a few key categories that with proper planning can make a difference.

 

Human Resources Management

HR issues are often some of the most difficult and time-consuming things to address in a practice; they can be even more difficult to resolve from a distance. This is why you will need to have several things complete and in place before you travel.

 

Job Descriptions

Job descriptions for each position (including the clinic owner/vet) within your clinic need to be complete and on file. All employees need to be provided a copy of their own job description.[2]This will insure that they are aware of their expected duties and responsibilities. In addition, there should be general HR policies and proceduresin writing that include sick time, vacation requests, no show, annual reviews, salary increases, etc. It is also common practice to provide a copy of this to each employee and have them sign a copy of this document for their personnel file[3]. With these in place, there should be no questions about clinic policies and what is expected when you are on vacation or out of the office.

 

Payroll

If you do not use an outside company to handle you payroll, you will need to designate someone within your business to oversee payroll while you travel. If your employees are salaried, this is very simple. However, if you have employees that are hourly or part-time, their pay will need to be calculated prior to disbursement of a check or direct deposit.

If payroll will need to be calculated, it is best that the person you are designating for this roll, has an opportunity to learn and practice this task prior to your vacation. This will alleviate any stress that you and this designee may have about this being done correctly.

 

Delegating

It can be a difficult for the clinic owner to delegateduties and responsibilities[4]. You need to be comfortable with the employee you choose and that you are assured of they capabilities. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to ease your mind, including:

– Assigning one person as your point-of-contact while you are traveling.

– Giving authority to a trustworthy member of you staff to make decision in case an exceptional event or emergency occurs.

– Authorizing a trusted person to handle payroll (this may require authorization to sign checks or a stamp with your signature).

– Providing authorization and access to accounts payable, checkbook, and petty cash.

– Hiring a competent locum veterinarian to take over your caseload while you are gone.

 

Team Meetings

Weekly meetingswith all of your staff will allow you to clearly explain your intention to take a vacation, how long you will be gone and what you expect of them while you are gone[5]. This is also a good time to let everyone know that you will be hiring a locum in your absence and provide key information about this person. Meeting as a group allow staff to ask any questions they may have and assures you that everyonehas heard to same information at the same time; eliminating uncertainty, stress, and confusion in the process.

 

Unforeseen Emergencies

Sometimes, no matter how much you plan and prepare something can go wrong (Murphy’s Law). In the event that something does happen, make sure the following items are in place and accessible to your staff in the event of an emergency (be it big or small):

 

Contact List

Make sure that your staff has a list of all necessary contacts. This list should include names and telephone numbers for:

– Your contact information including cell phone and at least one other number (Hotel, resort, etc.)

– Building owner if property is leased

– Repair experts (electrician, plumber, HVAC, etc.)

– Emergency contacts for all staff

 

Paperwork

Make sure that your designated staff have access to all necessary paperwork; this includes:

– Contracts for service or rented equipment (online or paper)

– Warrantees

– Personnel files

– Checkbook or other forms of payment

– Access to online accounts (User name and password)

– Client files (Login assignment for locum

Client Complaints

It is extremely important to address client complaints as soon as possible; they cannot wait until you return from vacation. You will need to assign at least one other staff member to manage any complaints, whether they are in person or online. Complaints submitted onlinecan be devastating to your personal and business reputation[6]. Because of this, you will need to allow access to your platforms (business website, Facebook, etc.) to address any concerns.

If you have associate veterinarians, make sure that they are involved in any complaint management. It’s always best that clients hear from the person(s) “in charge” or someone that they feel is in a position of authority. Being proactive is even better. If you have a complex or ongoing case make all attempts to chart the necessary information about prior medical history and leave detailed notes in the medical file; this can prevent the client from having to repeat past information, thus reducing their stress and concern in your absence.

Hiring Your Locum

A locum veterinarian can alleviate several issues that cause you stress about taking a vacation, including:-

– Covering your caseload so that clients can continue to be seen.

– Assuring clients that urgent care, should it be required, will be provided by a qualified, competent professional.

– Ensuring your clinic remains open and continues to generate income while you travel.

For this process to go as smoothly as possible, plan your vacationsas far in advance as possible – giving you the time to find a qualified replacement. If you can, try to take your vacationsat the same time each year.This can helpyou toestablish a replacement pattern with a suitable candidate.

Oxilia can help you with your locum selection. We have the resources and experience to match your needs with skilled veterinarians and through our online recruitment platform.  Oxilia provides you with access to animal health professionals across Canada and are able to place these individuals in any setting throughout all ten provinces.

When the time comes for your to travel, be sure to brief your locum withof the major aspects of your practice. This can reduce the learning curveand familiarize this person with you clinicas quickly as possible (vaccination protocol, heartworm &lyme disease testing, etc.)and reduce you stress about their transition.

Upon return from your vacation, take time to meet and debrief with your staff. Find out how things went in your absence and discuss changes that should take place before you travel again. It is also a good idea to speak with the locum to see how the process went for them. Feedback at this point can help you plan and prepare for you next holiday. You may even find that continued delegation of certain tasks will free up time for you to grow your business, balance your home and work schedule, or even pursue other interests.

 

Let Oxilia help you get started today.

 

 

[1]“On Deck- Vacation Survey.” 2018, https://www.ondeck.com/vacation-study

 

[2]“Better Team- Job Description Template.” 18 Nov 2018, https://www.betterteam.com/job-description-template

 

[3]“The Balance Careers- Sample Human Resources Policies and Procedures.” 24 Jan 2019, https://www.thebalancecareers.com/sample-human-resources-policies-and-procedures-1918876

 

[4]“Huffington Post- Delegating Responsibilities As A Small Business Owner: 5 Tasks To Take Off Your Plate Right Now. “ 25 June 2013, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/delegating-responsibility-small-business-owners_n_3472115.html

 

[5]“Tracy Dowdy- The Why (and How!) Behind Weekly Veterinary Team Meetings.” https://tracydowdy.com/the-why-and-how-behind-weekly-veterinary-team-meetings/

[6]“Forbes- 4 Embarrassing Online Reputation Mistakes Businesses Are Still Making.” 18 Dec 2018, https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanerskine/2018/12/18/4-embarrassing-online-reputation-mistakes-businesses-are-still-making/#5b354728fc10