Work related stress

Re: Work related stress

Mark Hedberg — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:49:04 GMT

[quote user="Elizabeth Billimore"]

I'm amazed how some people manage to keep anyone working for them.

[/quote]

It's often simply people not knowing any better. Some folks are happy to have a job and there are bosses who take shameless advantage of this. Maybe they're afraid they'll get a bad reference when they hand in a notice, or just don't think they can find a better job; or they have a mortgage/kids in school/insert issue here.

Eventually of course you're right, they don't keep them working there as the staff turn over like a cheap revolving door. In which case the boss wins again, no need to give anyone a pay rise as you'll just get a new member of staff in!

Especially now, with more and more vets getting into the market, these bad practices won't have any trouble attracting people. Not fair, but that's life for you.

Re: Work related stress

bob lehner — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:29:32 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]"If your GP thinks you should take time off work because of stress, once you have been off sick for 3 days, you shoulld report it to HSE under the RIDDOR scheme (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). "[/quote]

From RIDDOR website:

'Are cases of occupational stress reportable as lost-time injuries?

No. To be reportable, the injury must have resulted from an identifiable ‘accident’. Stress-related conditions usually result from a prolonged period of pressure, often from many factors, not just one distinct event.'

Also - it's now a 7 day period off-work as a result of accident/injury which has to be reported (although the employer must keep a 3 -day off work incident record).

>[quote user="An On MRCVS"]The boss simply refuses to engage in any discussions on stress, with any of his staff, and blames his employees' characters or personal lives[/quote]

This is clearly totally unacceptable -the only way an employer like this will see sense is when all the staff vote with their collective feet. He (probably a 'he') will then realise what 'stress' is !

Re: Work related stress

Clive Ansell — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:02:50 GMT

[quote user="Elizabeth Billimore"]

I personally think even working 8.30am-7pm is not compatible with happiness, yet it's the norm in this profession.

Someone please point me in the direction of a job that involves the practical skills (which I love) of being a vet but finishes at 5pm and doesn't involve the general public being rude about having to pay... I think I'd have found my place in the world.

[/quote]

I agree. 2 practices I occasionally locum for now finish with Vets-Now taking the phones at 6 pm. they see the same number of clients between 3.30 and 6 as they used to see between 4.30 and 7. It works well and that extra hour at the end of the day makes a world of difference. In the traditional 0900-1900 practice time is often wasted or not used well during the day.

Good luck trying to find the 5pm finish. Maybe the closest would be a career in one of the charity clinics? I once did a 3 month locum for the RSPCA, they follow the working time directive with a 40 hour week with days 0830 - 1630 (yes, that's a 4.30pm finish) on 4 days a week, the fifth weekday would be 1300-2100 and no on call. Clients were abusive and obnoxious though, but that's water off a ducks back with me.

I think many practices and many colleagues could do much more to help relieve work place stress. As an example, one of my regular practices is busy, sole charge and has an afternoon 2 -3 pm surgery. This just gets in the way and is a pain in the arse, if ops are busy it is a struggle to get them done, get lunch and be back on the floor for 2pm. Many times ops are rushed or cancelled, appointments are cancelled at the last minute or staff don't get their breaks. The logical solution is to cancel it and extend evening consults, but the powers that be simply will not do so.

Re: Work related stress

Bibs — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:47:47 GMT

I'm amazed how some people manage to keep anyone working for them.

I appreciate that it feels like a bit of leap to leave a job and move on but that sounds horrendous. This career is stressful enough even in a well managed and supportive practice.

I personally think even working 8.30am-7pm is not compatible with happiness, yet it's the norm in this profession.

Re: Work related stress

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 23:09:12 GMT

Not reportable according to HSE site

Are cases of occupational stress reportable as lost-time injuries?

Re: Work related stress

Stephen Courtney — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 22:58:18 GMT

There are some horrible jobs out there. Best to move on, it isn't worth it, and picking fights with bad employers will make you feel worse. We all have some level of choice about who we sell our labour to. this isn't the 19th century any more, and if your bosses are unreasonable, sort your life out and move on!