Promoting a Healthy Work Environment

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Jennifer Bruns, DVM, MPVM

As a veterinarian we assume a variety of roles with our white lab coat.  The veterinarian often wears the hat of businessman, CEO of customer service, quality of medicine guru, and the list goes on.  How often have we considered the role of the promoter of a healthy environment?  Our success often depends on the people we count on most – our support staff.  Promoting a healthy work environment will lead to productive teams and a great place to work.

Here are 5 ideas for creating a healthy working environment.

  1. Reduce Stress.  Stress in the work place can lead to illness and accidents.  It is the nature of our profession that there will always be some level of stress.  What can you do to decrease stress in your hospital?   Having supportive co-workers is an important method to effectively minimize stress.  Sharing the load of the stress with colleagues will help remove the load on the individual’s shoulders.  It is important that we understand as veterinarians we must keep our stress in control.  Observe your words and actions and do not take out your stress on the support staff.
  2. Encourage breaks.  Do you work right through the day?  Your body and mind will thank you for taking time to leave the treatment area for a break.  Make it easy and simple.  A 5 minute walk outside or quiet meditation in an exam room can really make a difference.
  3. Encourage healthy eating.  It is important to take time to invest in our bodies by providing a balanced diet.  Low blood sugar can make you feel anxious and irritable. Keep some dried fruit & nuts, string cheese, jerky and whole wheat crackers on-hand for those busy days when you or a co-worker needs an energy boost.
  4. Value employees and set clear job expectations. Basic respect goes a long way. Employees need to understand what is expected of them.  Set clear guidelines and offer positive reinforcement often. Job descriptions and regular reviews give the support staff the chance for growth and development. 
  5. Encourage all staff to contribute ideas.  Feedback from everyone on the team is important for developing a healthy work environment as well as it is good for the practice.  Most employees have thoughts about how they can improve where they work.  Opening up the lines of communication is a healthy way to seek new insights from another perspective.


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