BEVA showcases Flexible Work Guidelines
Equine vet Angela Jones described flexible working as 'career changing'.
The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has published new guidelines, designed to support veterinary surgeons with discussions about flexible working.
The Flexible Working Guidelines will be discussed on 13 September, as part of the ‘Making your veterinary career work’ session at BEVA Congress 2025.
Through the release of these guidelines, BEVA hopes to give employees the language and tools to make a formal request for a flexible working arrangement. It also shares the value of flexibility with employers and advises how they can review these requests fairly.
BEVA describes retention as ‘one of the biggest’ challenges faced by equine practices. It believes that flexibility enables employees to thrive in practice, therefore reducing turnover rates.
The resource includes an update on the Flexible Working Act, which gives employees the right to request flexibility from day one.
It also provides examples of what flexible working can look like in practice, practical templates on how to start the conversation and explains how employers should handle requests.
These new guidelines have been led by BEVA Council member Angela Jones. An equine veterinary surgeon, mother and co-founder of Petscribers, Ms Jones found flexible working ‘career changing’.
She said: “Flexible working allows individuals to find balance and prioritise what matters most to them, supporting wellbeing, job satisfaction, and ultimately the quality of care we can provide to our patients and clients.
“It’s not just beneficial for individuals. Practices that embrace flexibility are more likely to attract and retain great people, strengthen their teams, and build sustainable workplaces.”
The BEVA Congress session on the guidelines will be chaired by Mark Tabachnik, with Rosie Allister, Carolyne Crowe and Kirsty Pickles.
It will take a workshop format, considering identity at work, what it means to veterinary teams and how understanding will support wellbeing. The panel will also discuss the challenges to wellbeing in equine veterinary work, and explore how it can be made more sustainable.
Congress attendees can register on the day, or book their tickets online.
Image © BEVA
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
