• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Q&A: How should I deal with a veterinary boss that shouts and curses at me?

May 1, 2011
Shawn G. McVey, MA, MSW

No team member should have to deal with that verbal abuse. It's time to take the veterinarian aside.

The veterinarian shouts and recently cursed at me when I was discharging a patient. How can I deal with this situation until I find another job?

—EMOTIONALLY BRUISED

DEAR BRUISED:

Advertisement

First of all, no one should have to put up with verbal abuse of any kind at home or in the workplace. If you're actively looking for another job, I would pull the doctor aside and tell him that you expect to be treated with respect and courtesy for the remainder of your employment at the practice. If your boss laughs it off or doesn't seem to care, say something like, "If you continue to disrespect me then I will hire an attorney to pursue a workplace harassment suit." If that doesn't motivate him to straighten up, I don't know what will.

Shawn McVey, MA, MSW

Alternatively, if you would like to continue working at the practice—or have no choice but to stay—I would recommend taking the conversation in a different direction. Bring the issue to your boss's attention in a stern yet professional way. Let him know how serious it is—maybe he didn't realize how often he lost his temper or how much it hurt you and his practice. Set up a private meeting time with your boss and start out by saying something like, "I really want to work here but I cannot tolerate being verbally or emotionally abused. Please stop cursing at me and insulting me in front of clients." Let your boss know this is the last time you're going to have this conversation with him. Be sure to tell him point-blank: "If you continue to verbally abuse me, I will have no choice but to leave the practice and protect myself." —SHAWN

Shawn McVey, MA, MSW, is a member of the Firstline and Veterinary Economics editorial advisory boards and is CEO of McVey Management Solutions in Phoenix. For videos and articles containing more of McVey's tips and tricks on issues relating to veterinary personnel management, conflict, and communication, visit dvm360.com/mcvey.

Related Content:

Technicians
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
A technician’s true value
A technician’s true value

Advertisement

Latest News

FDA approves first generic moxidectin injectable solution for cattle parasite treatment

UC Davis oral surgeons repair kitten’s severe left palate

Dermatology expert explains the PSPP system when dealing with ear disease

To refer or not to refer

View More Latest News
Advertisement