Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Liz w — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:53:35 GMT

Should be easier to keep up with CPD than it used to be with all the drug company free webinars. The only problem is that if you're not working, then you won't use any new information so ard less likely to remember it.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:01:56 GMT

So what happens if you do take 5 years off and want to return? Are you expected to continue with CPD? Do you have to 'make up' the 35 hours per year before returning to practice? In the first year? Is it just up to the individual to ensure they are working within their competencies?

I understand that RCVS can't 'make' any of us do CPD but we do sign a declaration to that effect when re-registering and would not be a good defence in a PIC investigation having done none (or very little) for 5 years.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

An On MRCVS — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 18:36:25 GMT

[quote user="Andrew Kent"]

Are you sure the restoration fee is only £75? It looks from website like fee to go from non-practising to practising is £125 so would think it would be more than that? Is it £299 like it would be after removal for failure of payment?

Andy

[/quote]

I have found the part of the website that states it is £75 so I think I am right in saying it would just be £75 plus the annual membership fee (http://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/voluntary-removal-and-restoration/veterinary-surgeons-voluntary-removal-and-restoration/):

"If you have voluntarily removed your name from the Register, you may be restored to the Register at a later stage by completing the Voluntary Restoration Form (see 'Related documents' box on the right). Your restoration form will need to be submitted with the restoration payment of £75.00 and the annual registration fee of the membership category you wish to restore to."

Thanks for the help everyone. I think given some comments and the shock at anyone taking a 5 year break I will remain as non-practising for now as only £50 per year. I was just trying to save a few pounds. Seems a more sensible option but still can't help thinking that voluntarily removing myself would be a better option.

And regarding childcare, fathers helping and all of that, well I clearly am not the bread winner in our family and I am very lucky to be in the position of being able to choose to stay at home with the children. Entirely my choice and very happy with it.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Alastair Franklin — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 23:10:36 GMT

[quote user="tess"]The letter of goodstanding thing sounds terribly old fashioned![/quote]

Not so old-fashioned, but rather a necessity for re-registration or registration in another jurisdiction.

They are not generally written by an employer, but rather are provided by one authority to another, basically to say to you been a good boy/girl with no outstanding complaints against your name. Almost everyone who has registered to work overseas will have had to obtain one.

For once, the college fee for this is actually very reasonable (GBP3.60). It's about 10x that to obtain one in Australia.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

tess — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:40:57 GMT

The letter of goodstanding thing sounds terribly old fashioned!

I'd just cough up the non practising fee and save all that hassle. It would be far more expensive to remain as a practising vet as the cost of the fees, VDS cover and CPD commitment is likely to outweigh income if you only want the odd shift now and again.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 17:52:07 GMT

OK you've got a point

Wynne

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Marie Kubiak — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:50:13 GMT

Nope. Bizarrely he has no knowledge of reptile surgery either

I did grow up with my parents running small GP and dental practices and the level of overregulation of NHS work makes vet practice management look like a breeze! It did make me adamant that I didn't want to take on that level of responsibility with the concurrent lack of freedom they suffered myself.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:38:00 GMT

Marie. As an accountant's wife, you should be aware of the dreadful burden which taxation and over-regulation imposes on businesses.

Wynne

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:35:05 GMT

Tax breaks ...........fine! I'm all for anything that reduces taxation. Allowances for employers...........no.

I know that seems illogical, and the end result for the Treasury would be the same - it's just that morally they're worlds apart. One (tax breaks ) mean someone gets to keep more of the money they have worked for.The other means someone else has their money stolen.

Wynne

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Bob Russell — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:25:18 GMT

Pregnancy is a normal part of life! I don't agree that maternity leave does not have huge ramifications. A small practice may have to employ a locum for several months at significantly more cost to the practice. They will need accommodation, transport etc. It will not be clear cut how long the leave will be and the employer must be ready to re-employ with little notice.

The person on maternity leave may get maternity pay (refunded to the employer) but there is no compensation or help to provide cover. For a small business this can be disastrous especially if the locum is not particularly good.

This is where small businesses could do with extra tax breaks! Larger employers are likely to find the impact less critical.

I repeat - maternity leave is correct and a right. A family is a right as well.

You do not fall into any repulsive category!! Congratulations and good luck on the pending delivery. My wife did a lot of swearing and was pretty scary when ours were born!

However never underestimate the disruption to the practice, it can be massive! I accept this is the practices problem and not the employee!

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:22:44 GMT

If there were fewer benefits, then you'd have paid less tax.............so would have more savings to fund your pregnancy.

Wynne

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Marie Kubiak — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:01:42 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

This may be a non-PC viewpoint, but the only circumstance when I think it's even remotely fair for an employer to be financially disadvantaged by an employees pregnancy is if the employer is:

[/quote]

I would disagree that they are financially disadvantaged in most cases.

I am in a category that no doubt is entirely repulsive - a 2nd generation immigrant who is 9 months pregnant. I'm pretty sure my parents didn't come over here just for me to get better maternity pay and conditions though

Yes it is inconvenient for my bosses that I will be taking maternity leave but it has no huge financial ramifications. I get statutory maternity pay (refunded to them) and no additional benefits. I will be paid for worked 'keep in touch' days at my hourly rate, and have spent vast amounts of time over the last few months training assistants and providing reams of written protocols (in my own time, unpaid) so that there is minimum inconvenience/inefficiency for all.

I am entitled to have a family and I have an equal entitlement to claim maternity pay as anyone else (having spent all of my adult life working and contributing tax I don't feel guilty seeing some personal benefit for the next few months).

If the original Anon is seriously looking at not returning to work then that is a perfectly acceptable personal choice and I'm sure once they have fully assessed their options they will discuss this with their employer but it would appear they are gathering information and may not be sure enough to start the conversation just yet.

Marie

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:51:12 GMT

That is only true if the population is low enough to have zero unemployment.

Wynne

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Bob Russell — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:37:51 GMT

The young families of today are going to be paying the pensions of the future so a healthy birth rate to provide a working population in the future is really important.

heading off topic wildly!

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:33:52 GMT

This may be a non-PC viewpoint, but the only circumstance when I think it's even remotely fair for an employer to be financially disadvantaged by an employees pregnancy is if the employer is:

a) male

and

b) has fathered the child.

The burden on a small business is horrendous, and complaining of lack of support merely shifts responsibility onto the poor taxpayer......and don't get me started on that.........especially today (Budget day )

Wynne

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Bob Russell — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:32:35 GMT

I was not being unsympathetic!

This is a big decision and expectant mums have every right to have maternity leave and be in complete control! The rules as they stand are really in order and discrimination is unacceptable! There should be no pressure on the individual!

The government could and should IMO help to reduce the impact that this leave makes on small businesses!

Employers appreciate being kept in the loop as much as possible but as I have already stated this is not a right!

(Wynne may consider it more appropriate that intelligent people are encouraged to reproduce rather than the benefit hoards she resents so much! Sorry could not resist that and promise it is tongue in cheek!)

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Virginia Campbell — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:22:51 GMT

[quote user="Liz white"][quote user="Virginia Campbell"]

[quote user="An On MRCVS"] how can part time mothers be sustained in a World where part-time often means working unfavourable hours for nursery child care?[/quote]

By getting the other adult who bears 50% responsibility for care of the children to look after them.

[/quote] Sounds simple, but doesn't always work that way. My husband is out the house from 6.30am to 6.30pm, - not many shifts that he would be able to help with childcare.[/quote]

Why? Hang on a minute, I'll start another thread, getting too far from OP topic here.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:03:01 GMT

Wynne and Bob - these are big decisions this lady is making, and they are not easy. Having a baby is probably the biggest change any woman can go through, and being reluctant to commit to a final decision is understandable. It is no exaggeration to say that how you feel before and after birth changes weekly, let alone monthly!! It is perfectly fair that new mums have plenty of time, with no pressure from their employer, to decide their future plans!

However, as I said, if you have made your decision, as anon has done, then giving your employer the benefit of time to make their own arrangements is always much appreciated and you never know what you may want in the future! I know someone who unknowingly employed a 5 months pregnant vet.... perfectly legal behaviour on the employee's part , but not a good way to start a working relationship!!!

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:47:05 GMT

Couldn't agree more, talk to your boss . It is so much appreciated to be able to plan ahead both for your employer and also the other vets in the practice . What goes around comes around and good relationships and considerate behaviour are priceless.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Bob Russell — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:34:21 GMT

Claiming passive dishonesty is likely to get you facing serious legal challenge, not to mention some pretty hefty compensation claims.

An employee is under very little obligation to let you know they are not returning after maternity leave. This is not messing about, it is set down in law. Of course good manners and consideration would involve keeping your employer informed as much as possible to allow them to take action at an early stage.

Maternity leave rules are pretty horrendous for smaller businesses in particular. This is not a reflection on the person on leave but a result of lack of help from government in this situation.

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:21:19 GMT

Plus 1 If an employee (in these circumstances ) was honest, I'd consider re-employing them (if a vacancy was available), as well as giving a character reference to both RCVS and another employer.

If I'd been messed about,then no chance - either that, or the reference would mention that she'd been "passively dishonest" (doing a Bernard Ingham)

Wynne

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Christopher Saul — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 11:53:44 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]Honesty is definitely the best policy. I know you only have to give one month's notice whether you intend to return to work, but giving your employer your decision as soon as you have made it is more likely to keep the door to the practice open to you! Don't burn your bridges....[/quote]

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Christopher Saul — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 11:53:39 GMT

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 11:10:57 GMT

Honesty is definitely the best policy. I know you only have to give one month's notice whether you intend to return to work, but giving your employer your decision as soon as you have made it is more likely to keep the door to the practice open to you! Don't burn your bridges....

Re: Decision to become non-registered vet vs off register

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 10:04:46 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

Bit unfair on Anons poor employer.

Wynne

[/quote]

Bit unfair for Anon to feel she has to be forced to do something she doesn't want to.