305 - Frustrated With Taking Breaks.. And Not Taking Breaks

The Uncharted Veterinary Podcast

A practice manager is frustrated by team members delaying lunches and taking disruptive trips to the breakroom, which leaves the afternoon understaffed and creates tension among the senior team. In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Andi Davison tackle a challenging mailbag question: how to manage staff taking breaks, ordering food, and maintaining workflow. Dr. Roark and Andi break down how to approach this situation from a place of curiosity and empathy, exploring the reasons behind these behaviors while still maintaining boundaries and fairness. They share strategies on addressing break policies, fostering a positive work environment, and ensuring everyone feels supported while keeping operations running smoothly. Andi Davison has been on the wild ride of veterinary medicine since 2001, having started as a vet tech and eventually becoming the veterinary care manager at the University of Florida's large animal hospital. Alongside her veterinarian husband, Dr. Mike Davison, she opened Davison Veterinary Medicine, serving mixed-animal clients for nine years. Now, as a Positive Change Agent with Flourish Veterinary Consulting, Andi is committed to helping veterinary professionals thrive, drawing on her extensive experience to promote positive change in the industry. Tune in to learn how you can create a healthier work environment by approaching conflicts with kindness and setting clear, manageable expectations for your team