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Original poster

If I resign my work might close down

32 replies

Meditationspider · 31/12/2023 19:02

NC for this post.

i work in a small branch of a corporate vets. We have vacancies standing empty for 2 out of the 3 vet roles we need. So it’s pretty much just me and patchy locum cover. I feel like the weight of the whole practice is on my shoulders, there are more and more regulations and official requirements, long term cases which all come back to me, constant phone calls and queries on top of the planned workload, plus a generally demotivated team and run down building and equipment. I feel constantly anxious and panicky, I used to be a confident person who could take things in my stride but I don’t feel like that any more. There are vacancies everywhere, I could ask for more money elsewhere. It’s a no brainer to leave….

Except, I know other branches have closed down when they haven’t been able to find a vet. It’s been over a year and no interest in the other jobs so there’s little chance anyone will want my job. Without a permanent vet I suspect the branch will close and about 10 people would probably lose their jobs.

WWYD?

OP posts:
GrumpyGinger · 31/12/2023 19:04

I'd leave. This is not your problem to solve and you are not responsible for 10 other people.

Life is short, do what you can to be happy.

fancydays · 31/12/2023 19:05

I would ask myself:

  • Am I getting a share of the profits the business I'm holding up is bringing in?
  • Do management make me feel valued?

I expect the answers to both are no, in which case the business will fail because of senior management decisions, the decision to ignore maintenance, provide appropriate equipment, value staff members so they want to stay.

You are not the reason the business will fail, you are just the last one standing in a poorly managed company.

Todaypicard · 31/12/2023 19:06

There are vacancies for every role in that sector (I’m in it myself) - those people will likely easily find a role elsewhere. Either within that corporate or elsewhere.
Don’t let that worry hold you back - many tiny practices like that close, as they just aren’t sustainable. I’ve spent some time as a locum and have been to places like that. To be honest many are better off closed ( not saying yours as I don’t know it), but many just are barely functioning.

Tobleronebear · 31/12/2023 19:06

Frankly, it's not your problem if they close. As PP do what you need to do to be happy. If that means changing jobs then go for it.

BiggerBadderBrainfogged · 31/12/2023 19:06

Find a new job elsewhere with a full staff and nice building and then hand in your notice and leave.

If they chose to close, they would lay you off in a heartbeat. It's business.

When you are in the thick of it like you are, it is easy to become clouded in your judgment and take on more responsibility, guilt etc than is yours to take.

Leave on good terms knowing that this is sometimes the cost of doing business (and as I said, if the shoe was on the other foot, no matter how much they say you're family or whatever is keeping you there now, they would get rid of you if they needed to).

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 31/12/2023 19:08

I second GrumpyGingers advice. This should not be your problem to fix. If your area is like where I live, the others on the team will also find roles elsewhere. There’s a general shortage of vet staff apparently , and quite a churn of staff.

BlowDryRat · 31/12/2023 19:08

It's a chain, so there should be a plan in place at corporate level. What happens when you leave is not on your shoulders, it's on theirs.

There are no medals for running yourself into the ground for a job. There are other vet practices in the area, so if it does close the other staff will find new jobs and the pets will find new vets. It sounds like moving on to somewhere with a happy working culture rather than limping on would be a relief to all the staff TBH.

LifeExperience · 31/12/2023 19:08

Indispensable is irresponsible. It's not your job to stay there and prop up a weak business.

TheProvincialLady · 31/12/2023 19:13

If you really feel responsible and can’t bring yourself to do the sensible thing and find another job, you could first try meeting with your manager and stating what it would take for you to stay - more money, more support, better equipment or whatever would
improve your working life.

spottedinthewilds · 31/12/2023 19:19

Out of interest, why is a vet not considered a good career now? They cost a fortune.

ActDottie · 31/12/2023 19:39

I get it. My dad is a vet and since brexit they’ve really really struggled to recruit as they used to have a lot of applications from EU vets. They tried to get a vet over from Italy but the visa requirements were absolute madness and also very costly (they are just a small vets too).

The U.K. just doesn’t produce enough vets.

What I would say though is that those ten staff can hopefully easily find jobs at other vet practices as there’s a shortage everywhere so I wouldn’t feel guilty.

If resigning is what you need to do then do it sometimes in life you have to be a bit selfish and do what is best for you.

InSpainTheRain · 31/12/2023 19:52

It's not your problem.a d you need to do the best for you. If they wanted to close the practice they'd terminate your contract in a heart beat. Find another job in a better practise (or whatever you want to do next) and then resign.

Original poster
Meditationspider · 31/12/2023 20:03

Thank you all for your advice, I knew MN would come through with some impartial advice. I think it’s helped to confirm what I know deep down - though nobody wants to be the bad guy or feel like they’re letting the side.

The practice was sold to a corporate after the last partner retired, there are staff that have worked there for 30 years (waspi age women amongst them) and might not find anything else.

OP posts:
OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 31/12/2023 20:03

spottedinthewilds · 31/12/2023 19:19

Out of interest, why is a vet not considered a good career now? They cost a fortune.

The training is very hard to get on to, and many years and expensive. That puts the majority of interested students off to begin with. Then when they have trained the salary isn't that great to start with. Most vets practices have all been bought out by corporations and all that entails. Brexit has made it even harder as well.

Gloriousgardener11 · 31/12/2023 20:12

Someone somewhere is making a lot of money out of you so be selfish and do what’s best for you.

Oblomov23 · 31/12/2023 20:35

You have to put yourself first. Corporate clearly doesn't care about you, or else they'd never have let it get this bad.

369damnshesfine · 31/12/2023 20:46

It’s mad how many vets are closing down but you cannot make yourself ill because you don’t want to let others down.

I would first look into whether the owners would offer you a higher salary or partnership in return for staying.

larkstar · 31/12/2023 20:52

Can you see a solution? What would or could you do if you had the ultimate say? Is there nothing constructive you can propose to the parent company? What might happen if you hand your notice in? I've always worked along the lines of - don't take a problem to your boss - (do their job for them) and take a solution - you've got nothing to lose as you seem to be at the point of quitting anyway - proposing or asking for something to be done shows a high level of professionalism.

LookItsMeAgain · 31/12/2023 20:58

Can you downsize? Are there any veterinary colleges that you could align to and that you could use their students for work placements and offer some sort of 2 year post graduate employment scheme to? Perhaps after the 2 years, they may want to stay but it might mean that you don't have to close entirely.

Would that be something that might work?

Gymmum82 · 31/12/2023 21:03

Leave. Find a job in a better practice with decent equipment and fully staffed.
The other staff will get other jobs. The older woman could retire if she chose.
You’re doing no one any favours. The clients and patients are getting a crap service from an unmotivated vet and a rubbish practice. No one wants to work there. Break the cycle and close the place

Original poster
Meditationspider · 31/12/2023 21:09

I can’t see any solution under the current management, no.

they will not spend a bean on the place until we recruit permanent staff, nothing has been replaced or refurbished for years, they cite the costs of locums.

But because of chronic underinvestment in the facilities and the staff shortages across the industry, I can’t see it being an attractive job to anyone.

i wonder if it’s similar to the recruitment/retention crisis in parts of the nhs

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 31/12/2023 22:54

Is there anyway you can set up on your own and employ the staff? It seems really unfair that a business is making all the profit, but you are actually doing all the work.

MediumWell · 31/12/2023 22:57

The staff might be relieved, they might only be staying as they feel guilty towards you if they leave.

1984Winston · 31/12/2023 23:22

As an ex vet nurse, I say leave! It's not your responsibility. I worked at a corporate vets and we had no vet most of the time, it was ridiculous. Even if it closes its not your fault, go before you burn out, there's plenty of other vet jobs out there

OhamIreally · 01/01/2024 10:19

Gymmum82 · 31/12/2023 21:03

Leave. Find a job in a better practice with decent equipment and fully staffed.
The other staff will get other jobs. The older woman could retire if she chose.
You’re doing no one any favours. The clients and patients are getting a crap service from an unmotivated vet and a rubbish practice. No one wants to work there. Break the cycle and close the place

Older women can't just "retire" if they find themselves out of a job.