H.R. Huddle

As employment laws change or are enacted, practice owners and managers need to be cognizant of all the twists and turns. An array of online resources is available to explain the details, or you might want to consult an attorney.

Keeping up with evolving employment-related legislation can be difficult for small business owners, and COVID-19 made the situation even more problematic. As laws containing new and sometimes confusing information are rapidly passed, a veterinary practice owner’s compliance with the legislation might lag, which can have consequences as serious as litigation. As a general approach, gathering […]

Workplaces thrive in a culture of gratitude and when teamwork and collaboration are encouraged.

Studies have shown that positive leadership leads to positive work environments. The concept is so logical that you probably don’t need to review stacks of employee survey results to accept the notion that leadership has a real impact on work culture. Just as negative people can create a negative work environment, positive leaders can create […]

Be honest with yourself. Did you rush the job candidate through the interview? Did you miss any warning signs? Did you quiz the references? Does your onboarding and training program need an overhaul?

After you spend time and money advertising for job candidates and interviewing them — and then selecting someone you believed would be a great addition to your veterinary practice team — it can be quite disheartening when the new hire just isn’t working out. You think back through the hiring process, the resume that showed […]

Bad communication will stunt a veterinary practice’s growth. Staff meetings and active listening can ease tensions and create a more productive workplace.

When you look back at your former teachers, you realize that some people make learning more engaging and communicate concepts better than others. They all might have the same degree of knowledge, but not everyone possesses the communication skills needed to effectively share that knowledge. In the same vein, someone can be incredibly knowledgeable in […]

The newest wave of employees is looking for fun workplaces, ethical brands and more interaction with supervisors.

Millennials are often in the news and have been for quite some time now, with countless articles discussing their effect on the workforce. But what about Generation Z, the group born between about 1995 and 2010? They’re in or entering the workforce, and their perception of the world is different from that of the millennials […]

Employing people who share your values will elevate a practice by introducing different perspectives and creating a more diverse workforce.

It doesn’t take long to find articles that share why you should hire for culture fit. You might be employed by or have worked for companies that stressed how crucial this is. In fact, it’s gotten to where “hire for culture fit” is something that “everybody knows,” which can serve as a red flag. First, […]

You have several options when online critics go public about your practice. You can ignore them, fight back or learn from the experience.

Many people today use social media accounts to keep in touch with friends, read the news, scroll through pages of cute animal pictures, and more. We also use online resources to make everyday decisions such as selecting a doctor, restaurant or movie. Service providers, whether a hair dresser or plumber, are chosen in many cases […]

Successful conflict management requires knowing when to act, what to say and when to sit everyone down for a little coaching.

The reality is that after spending all day with your co-workers, almost every day of the week, conflict is inevitable at your veterinary practice. What is reasonable, though, as well as desirable, is to create a healthy work environment, one where conflicts that arise are managed in a functional way that allows the practice to […]

You have a responsibility to respond quickly and firmly to situations involving outside predators. It all starts with the employee handbook.

Harassment in the workplace lowers morale, reduces productivity and otherwise upsets employees. It can take the form of unwanted flirtation, forced touching or inappropriate jokes about an employee’s religion, race or gender. It could involve an unwillingness of someone to work with, for example, a sight-impaired employee. Harassment also can occur when someone inappropriately contacts […]

Your hospital’s reputation could be at stake if a team member’s online remark goes too far, so be sure to craft clear, legally defensible guidelines.

The use of social media can be a double-edged sword, especially in the workplace. On the plus side, social media is a wonderful vehicle for marketing a veterinary practice and connecting with current or potential clients. On the darker side, what happens when an employee posts content that reflects negatively on your practice? Should you […]