Work Life Balance

Re: Work Life Balance

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:56:21 GMT

Hi Vikki, Absolutely find to correct a misunderstanding, it's how you correct a misunderstanding that matters.

Re: Work Life Balance

Vikki Halliday LLB — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:35:58 GMT

OK Arlo,

My apologies for getting personal.

I was almost expecting the dreaded yellow card.

I have made my point and shall in future refrain from correcting those who mis-interpret my postings and general musings on life.

Vikki

Re: Work Life Balance

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:58:22 GMT

[quote user="Vikki Halliday"]I did not intend this to mean I "felt" a victim, and I think it reflects your wholly smug attitude to my comment that you took it mean so.[/quote]

Order, my Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, Oooooorder.

I remind you of the importance of allowing for the fact that different people will read completely different things into the same sentence. If someone reads something other than intended into a post, it does not make them smug. It could be the way it was written in the first place.

And either way, such personal remarks are the slippery slope ...

Re: Work Life Balance

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:32:53 GMT

I don't want to get involed in arguing as to whether the rules set by RCVS should change to make our lives easier and less stressful. I suppose we all knew the profession (or should have done) before we enetered into it. All I would say though is that perhaps trying to emulate other countries in the way they do things isn't a step forward. The USA doesn't have a national health service. That's their way of doing things - but I wouldn't want the UK to copy it.

The veterinary business is like any industry - the morale of the staff will very much depends on the boss. My first job was long hours but I loved the work and the people I worked with. If there had been a bit more sensitivity shown by my bosses I'd no doubt have stayed a bit longer than 1 year. But they would see that I was shattered after being up all night with a case, and then happily go home for the afternoon while leaving me on my own at work. The most memorable was when I phoned in sick (only time I ever did so) and then being phoned at home (flat connected to practice) at lunchtime to ask if I would still work the afternoon as the boss needed to go home...!!! I also didn't mind the on-call as I was expecting to do it - but then found that working a full weekend meant working mon till a week on friday, including the middle thurs, fri, sat and sunday on call, without any time off. After 10 working days, including 4 on-call (mixed practice so lots of night time calls) I was more tired than I'd known was possible! I'm sure an experienced vet would have taken it all in their stride - but as a new grad I found it tough. I asked for a half day in the week and was refused as 'the partners needed theirs for management work'. Seeing the 3 full time partners get 2 half days each per week while I got none was demoralising to say the least.

Now I'm sounding like I'm moaning - which I'm not. I loved the practice, the bosses were very supportive and were always happy to come out and help with calvings if I couldn't do it. I just decided in that first job that I would treat my assistants differently. I don't get this attitude of "I did it and it didn't do me any harm". We have a massive 5 year drop off rate - something like 25% of graduates aren't working as vets after 5 years. That must indicate a problem ?????

Re: Work Life Balance

Vikki Halliday LLB — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:00:47 GMT

[quote user="George Cooper"]

I'm glad however to clarify something in your last paragraph - that of feeling a victim, which is something else you have chosen (to feel), weighed down by "we are in a culture which appears to thrive on everyone trying to out-do everyone else in terms of working hours" whatever that means.

[/quote]

George,

I did not intend this to mean I "felt" a victim, and I think it reflects your wholly smug attitude to my comment that you took it mean so.

We all make the best of what we have, whatever hand we are dealt in life, not all of this is within our control. I think that to suggest to those of our profession who face a daily battle with drug or alcohol addiction, or depressive illness that we could have avoided the situation by making better choices shows a lack of understanding of the real issues faced by members of the profession, particulalry early in their careers.

Some of these issues will be debated until the end of time if there are those who cannot see how self destructive such attitudes may be.

And if you read some of the previous posts on working hours, you may understand that ours does appear to be a masochistic profession who delight in tales of how many hours a week they work and how young 'uns aren't made of sterner stuff.

With all kindest and non-sarcastic regards,

Vikki

Re: Work Life Balance

George Cooper — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:50:43 GMT

[quote user="Vikki Halliday"]

[quote user="George Cooper"]However - having read and re-read your post Vicky, I have to say that I do NOT get where you're taking it. What IS the problem?[/quote]

It is not for you I feel to comment on my personal ambitions or priorities,

[/quote]

Nor did I - for I cannot possibly as I do not know the first thing about you other than the repeated railing against a RCVS requirement in the guide about 24 hour cover.

Nor did i expect an outbreak of sarcasm directed towards my comment about choices.

Sadly, since this thread appears to have become somewhat personal, I don't feel there's much that will be constructive to be added, other than to reiterate the three questions which apply to every single issue we face, no matter how appalling it may seem.

Re: Work Life Balance

Vikki Halliday LLB — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:13:30 GMT

[quote user="George Cooper"]However - having read and re-read your post Vicky, I have to say that I do NOT get where you're taking it. What IS the problem?[/quote]

The problem as I see it George, and thankyou for taking the time to be thorough in reading my posts, is that there are a growing number of the veterinary profession who do not believe we should have rules such as the provision of 24 hour cover enforced upon us, where in some cases the situation forces both employees and employers breach other legislation, e.g WTR, H&S.

It is not for you I feel to comment on my personal ambitions or priorities, but since you have I will make you aware that I fully intend to continue making available 24 hr cover when I open my new practice hopefully this year, however it would have been easier in the past to become self employed were it not for the onerous requirements of providing 24 cover at the current level.

As a previous correspondent has pointed out, there are civilised and developed EU countries where no such requirement exists for practitioners, it is simply not their responsibility to make themselves available to the public at every hour of the day and night, but the animal owner's responsibility to find that service provision themselves.

And I'm not alone in confirming that OOH cover is indeed a bete noir.

However as you point out we all have choices, how perceptive.

But we may never make the correct choice if we are not informed, and I think the forum is an excellent way of airing views that I would not necessarily have been brave enough to verbalise to some in the past.

I choose currently to work part time self employed, part time employed, and commute 70 plus miles to each practice. I chose to do this because of the lack of suitable jobs in my area. I chose to do this because I chose to marry a man who is a partner in a family firm, and by the nature of the business we are not at liberty to move on a whim. I also chose to do this to try and keep home and education stable for my autistic daughter.

Yes we have choices, but some are because we are victims of circumstance, and more so that we are in a culture which appears to thrive on everyone trying to out-do everyone else in terms of working hours. It's not healthy.

Re: Work Life Balance

George Cooper — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:58:08 GMT

I've just read both Clare's and Vicky's responses, and do not wish to "clip 'n' quote" from either, though I think Clare and I have a similar view (with her enunciating it more eloquently than I).

However - having read and re-read your post Vicky, I have to say that I do NOT get where you're taking it. What IS the problem?

I'll address the concept of "lobbying the RCVS very hard". It is NOT for the RCVS to sort out your life, and if the compulsory nature of OOH work is your bete noire (sp?) then you and you alone must take action. If that action loses you as a member then if sufficient others feel as you do (?) and leave, the problem will be such as to require addressing by the organisation.

There is a solution to everything - maybe not immediately apparent, and maybe not immediately acceptable, but with thought and reflection and as Clare says "juggling" of your priorities and ambitions you will find it.

I am reminded of an aphorism told me by a chap teaching salesmanship. "You can achieve anything you want in this life. However, there is a proviso, and that is that you must be prepared to do whatever it takes to get there."

(Examples - 1. if i'd wished to be the finest orthopod vit'nery I'd have had to leave rural practice and go and study with specialists. A step too far. 2. if I'd wanted to be a global management consultant I should have travelled, written, spoken and so on, and instead I chose not to, and to work p/t to allow for caring. 3. if I'd wanted to be a successful folk singer I'd have gone on the road and given up vetting.)

Oddly, that salesman chap said, and I agree with him, it isn't so much that you HAVE to do things, but merely be willing and prepared that removes the barriers.

So often we erect our own barriers to our own progress.

Re: Work Life Balance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:29:11 GMT

[quote user="Vikki Halliday"]Just ask how many of the council members with responsibility for GtPC redrafting actually now carry out their own (not someone elses Adi) OOH. Ask tham how many years it took those that don't to earn this apparent "rite of passage" or in reality before they realised it would kill them if they didn't alter the situation.[/quote]

Hi Vicky

It doesnt have to be that way . I chose to work really hard when I was in my twenties and I enjoyed it for the most part although my social life was rubbish. I am thirty two years qualified and I have really enjoyed being a vet but I know it is difficult juggling work, family and play. There is a happy medium and as your life changes you want different things but the fact is that you rarely get paid more for working less. Salaries and better working conditions have to be paid for by the clients, and vets ( including myself ) are not good at asking for the cash or charging properly.

In my practice now we have vets who work nights and weekends and vets who dont. We have vets who only work nights and weekends . We asked all the staff to allocate points to the best and worst part of the work rota and then devised a pay scale appropriately. If you worked nights and weekends you could earn more cash as a reward because everyone agreed these were least attractive. The main thing is for the job description to be absolutely clear from the outset. The employer doesnt spring any nasty surprises and the employee doesnt take the job and then resent it.

I agree with George to some extent , if you are unhappy speak to your boss and if a compromise cannot be made then look for another practice.

Clare ( old dinosaur)

Re: Work Life Balance

Cat Henstridge — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:53:45 GMT

[quote user="George Cooper"]

There are three key questions to ask in every situation.

First:- "Is there a problem?"

Second:- "If there is - does it matter?"

Third:- "If it matters - what am I going to DO about it?"

Then you can start planning to change things.

[/quote]

This is pretty much the thought process that I went through when I left my last job and started as a locum. It wasn't an easy decision and it took a long time to make it but it has definitely been the right thing for me.

Although I work more hours now, I am much happier because I am in control of what I do. I also don't do any OOH which has made a huge difference.

Locuming isn't for everyone but it has definitely been the right thing for me. My advice for anyone unhappy in a job is to not 'put up and shut up' but to get out! There are good jobs and practices out there, yes vets work hard and expect to do so but not at the expense of our health and happiness.

Re: Work Life Balance

Vikki Halliday LLB — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:32:17 GMT

Jane, I'm absolutely with you on this. I appreciate that George may have been trying to get us to accept that sitting moaning about our OOH and rotas will not achieve anything other than a masochistic "poor little me" culture.

I too think that the only way to make any changes is for the veterinary profession as a whole to address the issues in a constructive debate, and there are similar threads being posted to this years RCVs candidates in the election forum.

If we are to change anything, we need to lobby the RCVS very hard, as it is clear that there is definately a tip of the iceberg here, and there could logically be extrapolated to be a much larger silent portion of the profession who are too afraid of ridicule from the "old school" to make a stand regarding the ridiculous hours and OOH rotas that some of them are currently enduring.

There is no question that you do not need to suffer personal problems, mental health issues and the feeling that you must martyr yourself for your clients if you do not want to. There are good employers out there who appreciate the strains on employees with these onerous rotas. There are also unfortunately those out there of the " well when I were a lad" mentality.

Yes things have changed in the last 30-40 years. Medicine has definately moved on - for goodness sake when I was a young pup seeing practice we were anaesthasetising cats by stuffing their head in a jar of ether!!

Yes some vets still working now, ( and I'm not at all being ageist Evelyn before you brickbat me again! ), have been through decades of personal sacrifice and have come to see it very much as a necessary evil, and one to be proud of in some circumstances. But I am convinced that there are many more who have suffered in silence for fear of being called a "wimp".

George is not wholly wrong to suggest that we all have choices in life, but I think if vets were more vocal towards the RCVS on this issue, they might just see in time that to perpetuate the masochistic streak by enforcing all vets to become personally responsible for OOH cover, whilst also ignoring the fact that the WTR are there in the main to protect us from ourselves and unscrupulous employers (by allowing opt-out), is foolhardy and will ultimately lead to vets leaving the profession in droves.

Arlo, I would be delighted to see comment from Jane's fiance, but perhaps since he is not a member of the profession he could post under Jane's pen-name.

And as for the public accepting fee increases to cover the cost of reducing working time and OOH cover, I recently had cause to deal with a commercial lawyer.

His work to me was itemised by time, at £165 plus VAT per hour, and his time for looking at one document was 6.1 hours. He has far fewer overheads, no OOH commitment to meet, and undoubtedly works very hard whilst enjoying a good salary and quality time away from work.

We must start charging realistically and as a profession stop hiding behind the argument that we will somehow lose out to other vets if we do. RCVS may not have powers to regulate fees unless absolutely disgraceful, therefore I would propose that in some cases, those who charge unrealistically low fees are guilty of misconduct in a professional regard, by perpetuating the price cutting, "open all hours" mentality within the practice owning membership.

The BVA could also take up the cudgel and be more proactive in promoting the excellent clinical work and services provided by the profession, whilst indicating the cost involved in servicing such overheads to be able to provide them.

When I first aired my views on this forum I was nervous that I would be slated for my position, but have been constantly amazed by the number of vets of a similar mindset, and can only conclude that it is possible to achieve anything by voicing our opinions to the RCVS as vociferously as possible.

Just ask how many of the council members with responsibility for GtPC redrafting actually now carry out their own (not someone elses Adi) OOH. Ask tham how many years it took those that don't to earn this apparent "rite of passage" or in reality before they realised it would kill them if they didn't alter the situation.

Re: Work Life Balance

jd2008 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:33:24 GMT

Hi Michael,

I understand your frustration. having seen this type of discussion before deteriorate into a "you young pups don't know you're born, when I was a lad......etc etc etc" lecture I could see it coming

I've been in prtactice for 16 years and have worked in a whole variety of rotas: started out 1:3 mixed practice moved, via a few jobs, to working for VetsNow for a stint and am now in my current role as partner in one of Medivet's 24 hour centres.

I hate, loathe, abhor out of hours. Always have. Have accepted that it is part of the job and got on with it but always found it stressful, frustrating and exhausting.

I used to envy my colleagues who could take the pager/mobile and just carry on their weekend life as normal until it rang. I, on the other hand, could never relax and was always on edge waiting for that nerve-jangling ring. I could never sleep properly either.

I am very lucky to now be in the position of having no OOH at all. We employ night vets who work a week on/week off basis. They come in at 7pm, take over the cases and stay on the premises until they hand back to us at 9am.

It's fantastic.

Is my work-life balance good then? - Is it h*ll!!

I leave the house at 7am and rarely get home before 8:30pm. I work at a demented pace through the day with almost always no lunch break. I'm never on top of paperwork or errands(work and personal) and am frequently exhausted to the point where i can't even hold a conversation with my fiance when I get home. I used to be a keen sportsman but don't have the time or energy to train effectively.

My fiance is a sport and performance psychologist. the "performance" side of his work has meant he's done a lot of consulting work for large firms and organisations aiming to get the best "performance" out of a workforce and he shakes his head in disbelief at how the veterinary profession kids itself into thinking that martyring(is that a word?) oneself for the sake of our clients is a) giving them a good service and b) sustainable in the long term on an individual and profession-wide basis.

What a lot of folks in our profession - and other professions to be fair - forget is that not everyone wants the same things out of life. This does not make some of us lazy, workshy or feeble. It does not make those people unrealistic either.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to experience other things in life - travel, hobbies, family. In fact, studies have time and again proven that you will be a happier, healthier and more effective member of society if you do take positive steps to "play" on a regular basis.

I wonder if Arlo would allow my fiance to join, or at least post on this subject? He has lectured our group on this very subject recently and the feedback was very positive. He can explain the science behind it much better than I.

In the meantime, I can also appreciate George's comments. We are the only people who can change our lifestyles. In this profession it will be tough and I don't have any easy answers. Our clients need us to be there outside their work hours for routine consults. we are also obliged to provide 24 hour cover.

Our clients will not tolerate or be able to afford in most cases the substantial rise in fees needed to give us anything approaching a 9-5, or even 9-6 job. The other option would be to pare our services down to that of a human GP to cut our overheads substantially then refer anything requiring more than a very basic work-up to specialist centres. This would, I imagine, result in a huge deterioration in work satisfaction for the majority of us.

No easy answers but worthy of debate and no-one should be made to feel guilty or inadequate for wanting more out of life than being consumed by their job.

I'm emigrating to Oz in september and have no idea what lies ahead for me career-wise over there. It will be interesting to see what working conditions are like and I will report back

Cheers,

Jane

Re: Work Life Balance

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:39:50 GMT

[quote user="George Cooper"]

I've missed a bit of this thread recently - but just what the hell is it all about?

Is it not enough money? Is it too many hours? Is it having to do on-call? Is it that everyone else is doing better than me? Is it my poor neglected family? Is it stress?

[/quote]

As the thread starter I feel compelled to comment!

The main reason I started the thread was to see what was going on out there, and as I asked in the very first post "if people think they have a good work life balance". In the full context of fairness and disclosure I cannot expect people to discuss the hours they work/on call/holiday if I am not prepared to declare my own commitments, I see this as fair. I did feel like having a little 'vent' of my frustration, but I see nothing wrong with that?

I do agree we have choice to move our labour elsewhere, but we live in an isolated area with little contact of colleagues. I am 3 1/2 years into my first job and was trying to have a friendly discussion on what I thought was a discussion forum? See what the situation was elsewhere and to quote my opening post once more "is it grass is always greener on the other side?"

Your input is appreciated, but think your tone not especially helpful.

Re: Work Life Balance

George Cooper — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:49:36 GMT

[quote user="i am ed"]

[quote user="George Cooper"]

There's undoubtedly an awful lot of "poor me - look at MY rota" about it.

[/quote]Frankly, "Put up or shut up" is not constructive. Discussion so someone might know, "What am I going to DO about it" certainly is.

[/quote]

And of course that is exactly what i am saying, NOT put up and shut up. This is intended to be what the post after this says - that people on this thread are looking for some inkling about what to do.

And that is what the three questions are about - to help get to that point by analysing what actually IS wrong.

There is a wonderful tool called the Wheel Of Life which illustrates how one segment of our life impacts upon another and if we take action to sort one bit, then very often things fall into place with the others.

Example. Gotta do OOH which makes me tired and irritable which affects my marriage which uses time that could be with family. So - health, relationships, inner "me" are all affected. Solutions could differ. Some may jettison the marriage as they quite enjoy on call. Some take steps to reduce OOH, so the other bits improve. And so on.

The worst thing anyone can say to someone depressed is "pull yourself together". Don't ever accuse me of that!

Re: Work Life Balance

Hanna Bennett — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:29:39 GMT

sometimes it helps to see what other people are doing. if folk have only worked in one job then there is always the possibility the grass is greener. if reading this stops folk assuming that and making mistakes with job choices then it's a worthwhile thread. My second job was rubbish cos my first was ok and i took for granted that all practices treated their employees the same way (fairly) - not the case as everyone knows. thankfully i was smart enough to get out quickly and then knew exactly what i was looking for and have now completely settled in my third job but would have been nice to avoid the hell of that second job.

Re: Work Life Balance

Edward Jones — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:09:44 GMT

[quote user="George Cooper"]

There's undoubtedly an awful lot of "poor me - look at MY rota" about it.

[/quote]

Some responders to this topic have taken the subject as such, taking the boastful 'look at me' approach, but I don't think that's what the OP meant at all. Personally, I couldn't give a monkeys if someone works x hours or x weekends, etc. What's the point in bragging?

It's important to discuss this issue rather than suffering in silence. If the discussion only allows the suffering to be less silent then perhaps that's enough.

The profession covers a huge range of professional and personal lifestyles, and a situation that suits one will not suit another. Sometimes it can be a what only seems a minor professional issue that tips the balance for somebody personally. Identifying the crux of the issue is not trivial and is very personal, but requires discussion.

Frankly, "Put up or shut up" is not constructive. Discussion so someone might know, "What am I going to DO about it" certainly is.

Re: Work Life Balance

George Cooper — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:25:33 GMT

I've missed a bit of this thread recently - but just what the hell is it all about?

Is it not enough money? Is it too many hours? Is it having to do on-call? Is it that everyone else is doing better than me? Is it my poor neglected family? Is it stress?

There's undoubtedly an awful lot of "poor me - look at MY rota" about it.

And that is a futile discussion because every practice is totally different in structure and demands.

I will reiterate my comments elsewhere on the forum - we ALL have CHOICES as to what we do - and before there's a backlash of "well I can't do THIS because of THAT" - then realise what you are saying there. It is your CHOICE not to do it. And at some point we all have to accept a situation in order to balance the thing.

There are three key questions to ask in every situation.

First:- "Is there a problem?"

Second:- "If there is - does it matter?"

Third:- "If it matters - what am I going to DO about it?"

Then you can start planning to change things.

George

Re: Work Life Balance

Edward Jones — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:08:18 GMT

Michael, you've got a tough rota. Mixed practise makes it worse - regular OOH calls from small animal owners in the evening and then from the farmers in the early morning, plus the random ones at anytime of night is always going to be hard. Taking your own phones adds to the stress.

There'll always be the ones saying, "I've done it all my life, why shouldn't you?" or, "I had to walk 20 miles to school in the snow all year, up hill both ways, why shouldn't you?" etc etc. There's also the ones silently driving themselves to ill-health, broken marriages, alcoholism and suicide. Not necessarily directly related of course but I'm certain it can be a significant factor.

Re: Work Life Balance

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:49:34 GMT

[quote user="Richard Carter"]

Following this post with something of disbelief - it is nice to know there are still practices out there that are so busy that everyone is working more than 50 hours/ week. My brother in law is a dairy manager, gets one weekend in 4, works every day well into the evenings, some of my farming friends haven't been off their farms for years so these posts are sounding pretty precious. Judging from the national trends, probably not going to need so many vets fairly soon then everyone can job-share to their hearts content. Going to be a pity about the pay levels tho...

[/quote]

Not sure what your point is here? You think this situation is good/desirable?

If he's working 6am-8pm 7 days 1 weekend off in 4 that's an average of 85 hours per week, on the agricultural pay scale for a grade 5 manager it's £8/hour standard and £12/hour overtime. First 8 hours normal rate, over 8 hours and Sundays overtime rate, so he's on ~£43,000 a year?

His choice, but a bloody decent wage, especially if he has no time to spend it! If I was farming and making no money I'd get out and do something else. I know farmers working all hours and making no money and they could do something about it. Talking to a clinet just after Christmas and he took a new man on. Joked that he must be making money and his reply was "It's not worth working myself into the ground, I need some time off, want to spend some time with my family. If the business can't support a man then I'll go and milk someone else's cows!" Speaks a lot of sense.

Re: Work Life Balance

Richard Carter — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:56:48 GMT

Re: Work Life Balance

Julian Earl — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:47:32 GMT

There is another aspect to all this that has not been addressed yet: as far as I am aware, under the WRT would everyone not be entitled to an eleven hour break during each twenty four hour period? That could pose real problems e.g. "I've had a call at three a.m., so sorry I can't make my appointments this morning". Never mind that someone else is on holiday, or at CPD etc., etc.

Re: Work Life Balance

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:26:06 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Although they are a hospital practice they use Vets-Now for OOH,[/quote]

Wrong thread I know, but how on earth can that be?

[/quote]

They keep and take care of all hospitalised cases in house and provide 24/7 vet and nurse cover for them, but OOH after 10pm, I think, Vets Now take the phones.

[/quote]

It still seems extremely weird to me that they do that and claim to be a hospital, but then what do I know?

Re: Work Life Balance

Clive Ansell — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:14:23 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Although they are a hospital practice they use Vets-Now for OOH,[/quote]

Wrong thread I know, but how on earth can that be?

[/quote]

They keep and take care of all hospitalised cases in house and provide 24/7 vet and nurse cover for them, but OOH after 10pm, I think, Vets Now take the phones.

Re: Work Life Balance

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:47:18 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Although they are a hospital practice they use Vets-Now for OOH,[/quote]

Wrong thread I know, but how on earth can that be?

Re: Work Life Balance

Louisa Huntington — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:16:05 GMT

I am a recent graduate working in Canada... my fiancee and I do on call together for all species but we are still on call for one week on one week off , the bosses to the other week, and that week on includes sat morning... we get 15 days holiday a year! 5 days more than the required amount in North America.

As for life / work balance.. as a recent graduate its good to be exposed to so much and learning alot but really appreciating the sleep when theres a chance!