Anyone working in a veterinary clinic or another similar business has a stressful, emotionally challenging job.
From the receptionists who have to engage with upset human clients to vet techs handling irate animals, they all deserve to feel valued.
It's one of the reasons it's vital to show employee appreciation as a veterinarian.
Establishing a positive and healthy workplace culture can significantly boost morale, especially on the toughest days.
Recognize Individual Contributions
It's essential to recognize your team as a whole, but it's also vital to acknowledge them as individuals. There are even ways to put an animal spin on some of the staff appreciation gestures.
Acknowledge Exceptional Performance
Many employees won't turn down free meals or snacks and are grateful for them, so use that to your advantage.
For instance, host a catered lunch if your team had a more difficult week than usual but performed exceptionally well. You can also pick up paw print cupcakes in the middle of the week or order a paw print-shaped cake.
Highlight Specific Achievements
Your team is outstanding together, but sometimes, a staff member will truly shine, such as going far above and beyond for a client.
Don't let this moment go unnoticed. Consider giving them an unscheduled day off to hang out with their pet.
Giving them a gift card to a local pet-friendly restaurant can also be a great idea so they can enjoy an outing together or a peaceful meal at home.
Create Personalized Appreciation Programs
Personalized appreciation programs for various roles can be an excellent option for paying tribute to your team members.
Once a year, twice per year, or every quarter, give special employee recognition to one person in each role.
For instance, you could offer to pay for a CME course in the animal field they've wanted to take or donate to an animal charity in their name.
Use Social Media to Recognize an Employee of the Month or Special Achievements
Employee appreciation can be as simple as posting on your company's social media account and website. Let your followers know about your Employee of the Month or a special achievement of a team member.
Ensure you get the okay before publicly posting the employee, especially if you include a picture.
Create a System for Employees to Recognize Each Other
Being recognized by your team members can feel great. One option to consider is doing a grab bag for perks.
Leave out small paw print papers and give employees carte blanche to write down (on each paper) every time they want to pinpoint a positive action of another staff member.
Have them put the papers into a tissue box. Once a month, choose a specific perk, such as a day off or a gift card to a local pet store, and pull one of the papers out of the box to determine the winner.
Afterward, give the papers to the respective team members so they can see the nice things their coworkers said about them.
Provide (and Encourage) Professional Development Opportunities
One of the best ways to show your staff you believe in them and their talents is by giving them opportunities to follow through on their professional development goals.
Like the human medical industry, animal healthcare constantly changes, and employees must keep up with the constant advancements.
Supporting their educational development is investing in your business. It's better for them as individuals, you as their boss, and the animal clients they help (and their parents).
There are multiple ways to offer professional development opportunities.
For example, you can pay for them to attend seminars or workshops or have professionals come in to train your staff on how to do specific new techniques or use advanced, state-of-the-art technology you just purchased.
Another option is giving team members time off (if possible) if there are worthwhile educational events they can attend in person.
Promote Work-Life Balance
As challenging as it is, caregivers need to make self-care a priority. A good work-life balance is essential for their well-being. It's often difficult to establish and maintain, but it's doable and worthwhile. You have the power to help your employees get to that point.
Offering flexible scheduling is one way to help employees with their work-life balance, especially for businesses providing 24-hour services, such as emergency animal hospitals.
Scheduling team-building activities and retreats can also be exciting for your employees. Choose pet-friendly options so staff can bring their animals if they choose.
It's a great chance for employees to gather together and meet coworkers' pets that they likely hear so much about throughout the day.
One of the most important ways to show employees that you care about their well-being is by offering mental health support resources.
This is particularly essential considering the heartbreaking things many of your team members often see with animals.
Encourage Wellness and Health
The risk of burnout in the vet industry is very real. Knowing how to recognize staff positively often starts with respecting their mental health when they're on and off the clock.
This can range from ensuring they take regular breaks to providing a calm, private area of the business where they can relax, have some candy, and decompress.
Granting employees ample PTO is essential for their mental health. It can be part of their sign-on package, because they did a particularly great job during a difficult circumstance, or because they're going through a tough time, such as if their pet passed away.
Another option is offering your employees free/subsidized memberships or admission costs to fitness facilities, cow cuddling therapy, yoga studios, local pools, and other spots where they can relax and let off some steam.
Giving them time off to volunteer at an animal organization can also be wonderful.
Offer Gifts as a Token of Your Appreciation
Giving gifts to your employees is a major way to show appreciation. However, please make sure the gifts are something they'll want. Avoid generic swag and try to personalize gifts to each recipient.
For instance, you can give them personalized scrubs, a tote bag, or socks with their pet's face on them.
Micro-appreciations are a perfect example of how small gestures can have a great impact.
Don't forget their pets! Offer your employees complimentary annual exams, vaccinations, and grooming, so it's one less thing they need to worry about.
If you find out one of your team members got a new animal, stuff a gift bag with must-haves like treats and toys.
Unfortunately, there will likely come a time when one or more of your employees will have their beloved pet pass away.
Acknowledge their pain with a condolence card and a sweet gesture, such as giving them a memorial key chain or necklace or donating to an animal charity in their name.
Don't forget to have sweet treats available to your employees. They're a fantastic, creative, and affordable way to show them you care, improve your company culture, and make your office a great place to work.
Put the treats in a candy bowl and set it in an easily accessible spot, such as in a break room, so your staff can enjoy a moment of peace and decadence when they need it.
Ask them what type of candy they want so you can stock their favorites. Having a candy bowl accessible to your clients (the human ones) can also be a wonderful idea.
Many are stressed about their animals, and having candy like Reese's or Sour Patch Kids may be a lovely distraction. Put it next to the animal treats on the front counter so pets and their humans can each enjoy the moment.
A Paw-fect Way to Show Employee Appreciation
Many people will reach for candy when they feel overwhelmed, upset, and stressed and need a dose of happiness.
Leaving out a candy bowl filled with tasty choices can be one of the methods of showing your staff you appreciate them and creating a positive work environment.
It's a way to provide them with a workplace that offers compassion, candy, dog kisses, and cat headbutts all in the same place. And what could be better than that?
Signing up for Deskgoodies candy subscription service plans means knowing that delicious treats are waiting for you when you're between appointments with your scaly, feathered, and furry clientele.
We automatically deliver the cost-effective name-brand candy to your door monthly, either customizable tiered packages so you can choose everyone's favorites or pre-packaged selections. Don't worry about shipping; we have that covered.
Contact Deskgoodies today via our easy-to-use website, and let's discuss all our candy options. If you reach out by email or we're closed for the day, one of our team members will get back to you within 1 - 2 business days.