BVA launches new redundancy guide to support members

While recruitment and retention remain an ongoing challenge for the veterinary profession, uneven demand across geographical areas and specialisms means some members of the veterinary team may find themselves facing redundancy situations at some point in their career.  

Going through redundancy can be a stressful experience due to the accompanying uncertainty, potential financial worries, and the emotional impact of being without a role that may have felt like a huge part of someone’s identity.

To help tackle these challenges, BVA has launched a new guide with practical tips to support members in navigating the redundancy process and making subsequent decisions about their career. The new resource, Understanding redundancy: A guide for veterinary professionals, includes: 

• A clear, accessible explanation of the redundancy process 

• Information about an individual’s rights as an employee when at risk of redundancy 

• Support in identifying next steps and looking for a new role 

• Signposting to other support available 

BVA President Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “Redundancy can be an unavoidable aspect of working life both inside and outside the veterinary profession. Whilst going through the process can be extremely stressful it is important to recognise that even unexpected change can often be positive.  

“With the right support, every member of the vet team can find new career opportunities and continue to make a valuable contribution to animal welfare and the profession. Our new resource will help guide them through this difficult period, and ensure they have the tools needed to come out the other end in a better place.” 

The guide aims to support veterinary professionals through the redundancy process but also to help them to consider their options when applying for new roles within the profession.  New statistics from BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Professsion survey show that demand for veterinary professionals remains high, with those working in clinical workplaces reporting an average of 2.1 full time roles unfilled, representing 23% of the positions available.  

Veterinary professionals moving on from the redundancy process may want to consider the benefits of retraining or moving to different roles or areas of the profession. Demand for qualified vets also remains strong in non-clinical workplaces, where vets reported on average 8.8 full time veterinary surgeon roles unfilled, representing 21% of veterinary roles available. 

The new guide is the latest resource to be launched as part of BVA’s Good Veterinary Workplaces initiative. It is available on the BVA Employment Hub which offers employers and employees quick access to support and guidance on some of the most common queries in veterinary workplaces.