HOW TO SURVIVE AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN AMY NEWFIELD, CVT, VTS (ECC)
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4 GET OUT OF THE TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT Sometimes despite knowing your passion is simply not enough if you work in a toxic work environment. It’s possible you are not even aware that you are in a bad working environment or it’s possible you are the cause of it. • No one likes gossip. Gossip occurs when an individual speaks about another individual when they are not present. There is “positive” gossip and “negative” gossip, but both forms can be harmful and not welcomed by most people. While technicians say they don’t like gossip in a work environment the reality is that most people will listen to, enjoy and even feed in to the gossip being given to them. A work environment where gossip overruns the practice is a toxic work environment. It breeds distrust, disrespect and dislike amongst coworkers. You will never survive in a toxic environment. If people around you are telling you negative thoughts throughout the day, will never excel. You will be filled with negativity, thoughts of why the practice is bad to work at and you will experience demotivation. Conversely, if you are the one providing the gossip then you are the one who is demotivating the rest of the staff. • If your work environment is toxic you have three options: Recognize and Ignore It, Express your Concerns to the Manager or Leave and Find
employees to be paid for on call if it is a requirement of the job. If you are salaried and it is a requirement be sure to set boundaries and make sure the request is reasonable. Above all else you must find time to go home, get away from work and live life...and hug your own pets! (continued)
a Healthier Environment. There are some people who recognize it’s a toxic environment and have the ability to ignore the gossip and negative issues, put blinders on and still thrive. You should always tell your manager or owner if you find yourself in a toxic environment. Be sure when you express your concern you don’t play the blame game. Sit down and express your concern about this individual dragging down the team as a whole. Express your concern about the overall team’s health. Lastly you can leave. Unfortunately, there are some working environments that are simply toxic. It’s not that they can’t be fixed, but it’s that they cannot be fixed by you. This type of work environment requires aggressive help from management or the owner. If you have expressed your concern and nothing has changed sometimes it is best to move on. 5 OUTSIDE LIFE You must have a healthy work-life balance. Yes, there will be days you get stuck late at work. Yes, there will be days you get called in. If you work on salary you may find times you work 50-60 hours a week. Go home, unwind and stop going online or on your smartphone to check on work. If you are in a management position be sure to set boundaries for your employees and the company. It should be normal to assume that not everyone is available 24/7. If your job asks you to be on call be sure to be compensated for it. Most states require hourly
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