Investigation of factors affecting recruitment and retention in the UK veterinary profession

Hagen, J; Weller, R; Mair, T; Kinnison, T

Abstract

Background
Recruitment and retention is currently of major concern and resulted in the veterinary profession being returned to the UK’s Shortage Occupation List in 2019.
Methods
An online questionnaire of veterinary employees and employers investigating factors contributing to leaving/staying in current employment and the profession. The questionnaire was distributed via specialist veterinary associations’ email lists and social media from September to October 2018.
Results
Respondents had few job changes (median 3), however, 43.7% (n=2390) reported that they were likely or very likely to leave their employment within two years. Vets who were recently qualified, on lower salaries and female were more likely to plan to leave. Most frequently chosen reasons to stay in a position were: team, location and family. Most commonly cited reasons to leave were: work-life balance, management and salary. Respondents most disliked dealing with people, work-life balance and the physical/emotional impacts of the job. They would most like to change the hours worked, team aspects and management. Employers suggested that it was difficult to employ a veterinary surgeon, especially an experienced individual.
Conclusion
The current retention crisis is due in part to the differing requirements between modern-day veterinary employees, their employers, the public and the profession.

Citation

Hagen, J., Weller, R., Mair, T., & Kinnison, T. (2020). Investigation of factors affecting recruitment and retention in the UK veterinary profession. Veterinary Record,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 7, 2020
• Publication Date: Aug 14, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2020
• Journal: Veterinary Record
• Print ISSN: 0042-4900
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1376924
• Publisher URL: http://veterinaryrecord.bvapublications.com/