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hils78

Had to leave my job

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Having spent a bit of time getting my head around this (and also getting my head around pulling my wedding!) thought I'd let you all know I'm no longer a vet nurse! I'm now signing on & feel like a complete failiure

 

I think it was a case of constructive dismissal (where work created a situation where you leave on your own accord). It was a one man veterinary practise and the first one I'd ever worked at so had nothing to compare my experiences with...until we got a wonderful locum vet in who opened my eyes to alot of malpractise conducted there. Ie no authorised anesthetic (sp?) monitoring - which should be kept for 5 years I think. And many many more things which I tried to gently impliment but he didn't like. Seriously overcharging for procedures such as removing chewing gum from a puppys ear (he had no clue how to do it - I did it with wd40 on a cotton pad & it just slipped off) he charged them £200 for the 'op'.

 

I got called into work on an emergency (when usual vet was back) - having to leave my daughter with someone she doesn't like etc etc and it turned out the emergency was that 'his' own dog had poo'd on the floor & he wanted me to clean it up.

The previous day I had scubbed the consulting room within an inch of its life (white surfaces) and the surface was spotless apart from a scratch on it. Boss came in & wiped his hand accross it & said 'this is not clean - clean it up'. I didn't touch it again & he came back 15mins later & said 'see thats better you can do it when you put your mind to it' :evil: . Then on the dog poo day he reduced my hours to 3 per week but wanted me to remain on call for the rest of the week with no kind of 'on call' pay. So I had to leave.

 

I miss the work but for my own sanity couldn't stay.

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Since leaving I had a call from another vet - must have got my number from the phone book. He was an old business partner of this man. He said he'd heard I'd left and that I should know that he thinks I've had a lucky escape :shock: This vets wife was a vet too & they've been wanting him to get him struck off & recons he needs sectioning. App the wife is absolutely terrified of my old boss & won't proceed with getting him struck off because she's too frightened of what he might do. With this in mind I'm rather hesitant to proceed!

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I think I really should talk to this other vet again - and to his wife possibly. I should report him, but if my own safety is compromised then I will have to do it carefully. I'm sure the man is bi-polar.

The other vet said that in their old practise my old boss on one occasion called a vet nurse in on an emergency - when he (male vet nurse) arrived to the building in the middle of the night all the lights were out & the vet was stood naked in a corner of the room eek!

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The other vet said that in their old practise my old boss on one occasion called a vet nurse in on an emergency - when he (male vet nurse) arrived to the building in the middle of the night all the lights were out & the vet was stood naked in a corner of the room eek!

 

 

:shock::shock::shock: I would have offered to neuter him there & then!

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Whata dreadfulexperience.

 

There are two issues here, one is your constructive dismissal, and the other is his apparent malpractice. The latter can contribute to the former.

 

You should take sometime to write down everything that you can remember happening, bothe the "mapractice" type things, and the things that were done to you. Make sure you easily identify which is which, eityher use separate lists or, if you are doing a chronological list, use a diffferent colour for each.

 

Make an appointment at the CAB, and get their advice on what to do. The most important thing is you, and getting yourself sorted out. There will be other vet practices, you could apply to this other Vet's practice, for example?

 

If that fails, there is always that new out-of-hours service (I can't remember the name, but it's very big, it's a nationwide service) which a lot of vets arenow buying in. I was speaking to one of their vet nurses a while ago (she goes to the same gym as me) and she says they are always keen to get new staff.

 

And remember. This too will pass.

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Eek! It does sound as though you have done the right thing however you shouldnt have to have left. There is always the option of the Employment Tribunals (constructive Dismissal)

Be aware there are time issues attached you must submit your ET1 witin 3 months of the act your complaining about happening and make sure it is very detailed in regard to all your complaints again if its not on your ET1 they wont listen to it! they are Very strict on these matters.

 

I was in a similar situation took on my Ex Employer & won. I dont know where you are but would be happy to help you just pm me.

 

I do understand your reticence in reporting him but what about the current & future animals in his care! ii does sound as though you would have support & evidence to back you with any action you take. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

Kitty

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It sounds like this vet has never had anyone stand up to him. He's a bully and a totally incompetent vet by the sounds of things. I'm appalled that no-one has reported this guy by now, someone needs to do something before he goes completely off the rails and it'll be too late then.

 

The bit about "naked in the corner" - well, you couldn't write this stuff. Matt Lucas and David Walliams spring to mind.

 

It's just awful. Emotional clients leaving their beloved pets with him - if only they knew. I'm sorry this has happened to you but maybe it has for a reason. I'd make it my duty to make life difficult for him - but I'm nasty that way!! :wink: Be strong.

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I think you have made the right decision and good luck to you for the future.

 

Im not sure if you can do this anonymously (sp!) but this man needs to be reported, one for the reason that genuine animal loving people are leaving their beloved pets in his "so called" care and two - he is ripping off these pet loving owners :x .

 

It makes me sick to my stomach that there is someone out there who is like this, and innocent customers dont know what he is like. I would freak out :shock: if I found out my vet was like this as my dog is very precious to me :anxious: .

 

all the best to you :wink:

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...

It's just awful. Emotional clients leaving their beloved pets with him - if only they knew. I'm sorry this has happened to you but maybe it has for a reason. I'd make it my duty to make life difficult for him - but I'm nasty that way!! :wink: Be strong.

 

I'd totally agree with this except that it's not nasty, it's called justice!

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I'd be horrifed to think something like this was going on behind the scenes at my vet's - I think you've had a lucky escape.

 

I hope you find another job soon - I would guess that if you apply to any local vet practices, they will know about this guy and understand why you left.

 

Reporting him to the RCVS is up to you but if he isn't keeping proper records then it won't be difficult for them to find out - I don't know how they work, but with most professional bodies they can investigate without giving the name of the person who reported it to them, worth giving them a ring to raise your ocncerns and find out how they deal with such things.

 

You probably could bring a claim for constructive dismissal, but I wonder if it's worth all the hassle and cost ... here's hoping you get another job quickly.

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You're right to leave, absolutely. I would defintiely definitely report him to his professional body. You can do this anonymously, and you have nothing to lose. Don't turn a blind eye, if everyone did imagine what the world would be like. After all, you don't need to fear for your professional reputation in the way that the other vet you refered to might (simply, becuase you're not a vet),

Constructive dismissal - yes, it is, clearly - and ideally, you should follow that up. But the cost, time and heartache, and the impact on future job prospects.... that's a difficult one.

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Thanks for the support.

Ok today I've been thinking about this alot & what I've decided is that I will report him anonymously (sp?), I think the animals care is more important than my care, I don't think I could go through a constructive dismissal tribuneral - nerves are in tatters as it is anyway.

There are LOADS of other things I can def pull him up on. I sincerely believe that the animals that went in while I was working there had the upmost care given - I kept a very beady eye on the actual hands on practices - even down to using my dinner money to buy treats & veg for various animals :roll:.

 

Another thing that could happen is that I talk again to his old business partner & say I will back him up if he reports him & tries to get him struck off.

 

I think its important- the man is a maniac.

 

I just needed a bit more telling to report him!

 

Obviously won't be able to say if I've done it or not coz that wouldn't be anonymous!

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