The importance of a paper trail in veterinary employment situations

摘要

One of the most simple, avoidable and easy-to-fix mistakes made by employers of all sizes is the absence of a paper trail. Keeping non-clinical records in veterinary practices is of the utmost importance, writes Peter Bishton, Deputy Chief Executive,Veterinary IrelandOne of the major aspects of professional veterinary work is the taking of clinical records. Translating this into other aspects of veterinary business, though, is often another matter. One of the first questions to members contacting Veterinary Ireland HQ about employment law situations is about written notes and/or written documentation between employers and employees. Unfortunately, it is often the case that, even though written contracts and/or terms and conditions may be in place, it is a common occurrence, especially with more long-term employees, that changes to these contracts, or terms and conditions of employment, are agreed and/or undertaken without any requests, clarification or confirmation having been given in writing. There is, therefore, no record of such changes taking place and, should employment concerns ever arise, especially years after the event, at best confusion exists or, at worst, situations can escalate into cases being pursued through the employment law machinery.