March 2016

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Phone (908) 823-4607- [email protected]

Successful Negotiations: Strategies for Salary, Benefits and More
 
When you're offered a job at a veterinary practice, it's important to get as much information as possible about the specifics. You'll typically be offered a certain wage, often along with benefits such as health insurance, retirement benefits, vacation time and the like. But, the offer may not mention workplace flexibility and other perks that can have a significant impact on your job - and so it's crucial to negotiate all of the key elements of the offer.
Many people feel uncomfortable when negotiating a work package, but gaining the ability to negotiate well help you to be more successful at work long after you've begun a particular job. As a part of a veterinary practice team, you may need to negotiate with vendors, and with challenging clients - and almost certainly there will be times that you need to negotiate with your employer about a raise, a revised benefits package, and evolving workplace perks and policies.

When you negotiate fair compensation for yourself, you will become more committed to the practice, which translates into better care for the practice's clients and their pets. As an employer, when you negotiate fairly with employees, you will help to build loyalty that will stabilize and strengthen your practice. 
   
Grace Under Pressure
Nine Tips for Sanity

It's the real test of character, how we react when we're tired and stressed. How we treat others, how we treat ourselves. We all want to be known for keeping our heads when all around us are losing theirs. A crisis reveals character. Exhibiting grace under pressure will never show up on your resume but it will be one of the lovely things that people remember about you. We're under so much pressure and stress, whether it's internally or externally produced. Uncertainty about the economy, about liability, pet owners who are demanding, and the bottom-line business that you and your team are responsible for.

The good news is that with all the stress we have, we get multiple opportunities to practice being gracious! Clients and employees challenge our good nature regularly.  Well, those pet owners from hell are still our clients. And employees from hell are still our employees. We have to meet people where they are. And that requires a lot of perspective and grace.

(Click here to read full article)

Judy Gray is the President/CEO of CEO on Call in Tallahassee. Contact her at [email protected] or by calling 850-322-3802
 
   
VBA Extern- Matthew Wooddall

Matthew Wooddall is a fourth year veterinary student at UC Davis, and is looking forward to graduating in May 2016 where he is student selected commencement speaker. His career spans more than 15 years at several different clinics working on countless species as a veterinary assistant before vet school. While at UC Davis he was an active member of the VBMA, completing the Business Certificate Program and receiving a scholarship award for excellence in client communication. As class of 2016 historian and editor of vet school news publication he was able to utilize his love of photography and writing in a number of creative projects. Matt's emphasis is in small animal medicine but he also enjoys the variety of exotics, zoo, and wildlife work. He is currently interviewing for positions in the Northern California region and hopes to become practice owner within the next five years.  Topics of interest include practice team building, creative marketing, and hospital efficiency. He lives in Sacramento with his wife and two dogs and enjoys camping, hiking, and travel when the rigors of vet school permit.  
 
In This Issue


Dr. Lacroix was selected for
Lawyer Monthly's
Women in Law 2016 Award

in recognition of her outstanding legal expertise and contribution within the practice area of Veterinary Law.

Congratulations Dr. Lacroix!!!
HR Questions?
Ask Kellie:
 

Question:What is this new overtime exemption rule that I am hearing about?

The Department of Labor is rewriting overtime exemption rules so that the salary threshold would jump from $23,660 to $50,440 annually. What does that mean?  Most salaried employees who do not make a minimum of $50,440 would be eligible for overtime.  Please note this is not yet law, but it is important to prepare for this change.
 
We suggest the following steps to prepare for the upcoming change:

First, identify all exempt workers with a salary below $50,440

 

Then, develop a strategy for managing conversions: Can you raise the employee's salary so that he or she is once again exempt from overtime?  If not, how many hours does this employee work? In an attempt to manage hours, can you reassign tasks so that there is not as much need for overtime?   Can you restrict employee's hours without causing problems for the hospital? 

 

Lastly, you will want to be sure to communicate to employees, reassuring them and providing them with accurate, consistent information as this rule develops.
 
If you have questions regarding the new overtime exemption rule, or overtime in general, please do not hesitate to contact our office.  We would be happy to help.
      
 Copyright 2016
2016 - Veterinary Business Advisors, Inc.
 
 
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