Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Sarah Keir — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:13:49 GMT

[quote user="Lorna McHardy"]

I worked at one practice where a virus imported through staff surfing the internet crashed the entire system. But even leaving that possibility out of the equation, expecting your employees, when at work, to work and not internetsurf, sounds perfectly reasonable to me. Unless, of course, the internet use is work related.

[/quote]

Like being on vetsurgeon.org?

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Lorna McHardy — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:57:42 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

Boss is a tool as well as an arse, and is funny about at work internet use -

[/quote]

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Rob Reid — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:13:00 GMT

[quote user="Sylvia Wilson"]

[quote user="Rob Reid"]

Feel free to shoot me down if you think I am coming from left field here, but if your boss is such a 'tool' then either sit down and have it out with him or move somewhere else. If you've got experience, we are fortunate enough as a profession that you should be able to pick another job ok; failing that then set up as a locum or put your plate up.

[/quote]

Fine in theory, but it in my experience of helping practices and individuals with HR problems it doesn't always work like that.

[/quote]

I've worked in four practices in permanent positions; in my experience the bosses of of all 4 of these were willing to sit down and listen to me if I had a problem. In only 1 of these 4 did I have an unresolved issue (indeed several) and I left this practice fairly soon after having been unhappy for pretty much most of the 18 months I was there. Most vets in my experience are perfectly reasonable people, it's just some of us aren't great at managing (we're not trained after all.)

[quote user="Sylvia Wilson"]not everyone is in a domestic situation that allows them to drop everything and move to a different job.[/quote]

Hence why becoming a locum, or setting up yourself (agreed not easy in current climate) is an option....the OP has know stated that they are going to move on and as I say, if you have experience, even if limited geographically - something generally comes up quickly in our line of work.

If you can't be open and honest with your employer and you really don't like them that much, I don't believe it's worth the stress attempting to stay there. It will only make you (and probably your boss) more unhappy.

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

An On MRCVS — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:01:45 GMT

[quote user="Rob Reid"]

I don't see how joining a union would help this individual situation. There are generally set grievance procedures you can follow - an employer should always have a procedure for raising these. ACAS tend to be more helpful with regard to these and if you follow these and the practice don't then you've got a case for constructive dismissal.

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Just curiosity regarding union membership really, as someone on another thread asked Mr Mir directly how many vets in practice were in the union and it was not answered.

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

An On MRCVS — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:57:47 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"]

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]Boss is a tool as well as an arse,[/quote]

I hear they speak highly of you.

[quote user="An On MRCVS"].....and is funny about at work internet use[/quote]

Have you ever, personally, dealt with an internet security problem at the practice? It makes you go all funny, every time.

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]think of joining the BVU but want to get a general feel if others have/are going to join?[/quote]

Will joining any union stop your boss from being "..a tool and an arse"? Or, is there some more specific beef you have which you could, as an adult, a professional person, someone capable of taking responsibility for themselves. sort out yourself?

There is a strong thread of self-pity which pervades postings on this site, which will no doubt provide you with some succour. But, it doesn't solve a thing.

JGW

[/quote]

I'm just curious as to how many colleagues are in the BVU, and if it has helped them in any way?

I do have issues with my employment that will only be solved by moving, which is what I am going to do. A trade union will make no difference to that in my case.

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:08:43 GMT

I'd be curious about the "I was a member, but not anymore" - could whoever it is log in anonymously and let us know why?

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Sylvia Wilson — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:37:12 GMT

[quote user="Rob Reid"]

[/quote]

Fine in theory, but it in my experience of helping practices and individuals with HR problems it doesn't always work like that. Not everyone (even vets) is assertive enough to 'sit down and have it out' and not everyone is in a domestic situation that allows them to drop everything and move to a different job.

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Bob Russell — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:28:27 GMT

The best part of the veterinary union appearing on the scene is that it has shaken up the BVA to bring its 'union' activities (such as support through grievance procedures) to everyone's attention!

The UNITE link makes it impossible for me to support the BVU.

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Rob Reid — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:02:00 GMT

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

James Laidlaw — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:33:36 GMT

Wow. I agree entirely with you Mr Wray. Part of my dislike of unions is they are following society's general trend away from people taking responsibility for themselves and their actions. Obviously they are helpful when huge conglomerates are abusing staff rights or where human rights are abused, but is this ever the case in practices in the UK? The two jobs I left I felt the same way about the boss as they probably did about me. So I sorted it, by leaving.

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

J G Wray — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:39:46 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]Boss is a tool as well as an arse,[/quote]

I hear they speak highly of you.

[quote user="An On MRCVS"].....and is funny about at work internet use[/quote]

Have you ever, personally, dealt with an internet security problem at the practice? It makes you go all funny, every time.

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]think of joining the BVU but want to get a general feel if others have/are going to join?[/quote]

There is a strong thread of self-pity which pervades postings on this site, which will no doubt provide you with some succour. But, it doesn't solve a thing.

JGW

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

James Laidlaw — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:31:38 GMT

[quote user="Sylvia Wilson"]

[quote user="James Laidlaw"]

... the only function I really see of unions now is striking for the inconvenience of the public to renegotiate positions or bonuses.

[/quote]

The most important function of unions in most workplaces, particularly small ones, is helping individuals to deal with disciplinary, performance management, discrimination, etc. cases. These are not the aspects of union work that make it into the headlines, but they are the ones that improve matters for more union members than any strike for better pay.

[/quote]

In every veterinary clinic I have worked in those functions have been perfectly well managed by the management or boss (with the exclusion of one or two practices). If they aren't the BVA provide independent advice and legal support, and there's a veterinary support phone line for stress and depression type problems. In the one or two that didn't I left and found another job - and let them know I wouldn't be returning - life's too short to work in a practice that is bringing you down (or any job) - so why stay and fight it out?

What exactly would the unite union or any other veterinary union provide that isn't already in place for us thanks to BVA and other organisations that we are lucky enough to have? If the current headline press release for unite is that interns and residents aren't paid enough - that wouldn't seem like good value for membership to me, given other supports are already in place and established.

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Sylvia Wilson — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:43:12 GMT

[quote user="James Laidlaw"]

... the only function I really see of unions now is striking for the inconvenience of the public to renegotiate positions or bonuses.

[/quote]

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

James Laidlaw — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:23:58 GMT

For people working in corporates I could maybe understand a union, but most people are in private practice and shouldn't require union techniques to negotiate pay and conditions etc. Also, the only function I really see of unions now is striking for the inconvenience of the public to renegotiate positions or bonuses. We have a bad enough perception in the public eye at present without union association and action increasing that...

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Mark Holmes — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:53:28 GMT

I had considered the BVU until they jumped in with UNITE, Len McClusky and his left wing socialist clap trap. There is a big problem when 10% of a workforce can vote to strike and therefore hold the country to ransom. Union law needs a change such that unless there is a 50% turnout the result is not valid. I will not have anything to do with UNITE ... Ever!

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:45:47 GMT

With all due respect for Dr Mir, he's been asked "how many vet members of Unite" before, and I don't remember ever hearing an answer. I understand he's got to look figures up, but as the chairman of the vet union, shouldn't he have the figures to hand? It's his union, after all!

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:30:04 GMT

If I was still an employee and if they had NOT joined with Unite I would have joined. I am supportive of the idea and disappointed in the execution!

You're not doing an internship by any chance?

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

An On MRCVS — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:22:19 GMT

Boss is a tool as well as an arse, and is funny about at work internet use - think of joining the BVU but want to get a general feel if others have/are going to join?

Re: Are you a member of the veterinary union?

Mark Rowland — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:35:08 GMT

Why Anon? Its not as though this is one of those "My boss is a tool and he walks around with a blue parrot on his arm" threads.