WHO: The Veterinary Incivility Toolkit (VIT) can be used by any and all veterinary practices and veterinary staff.

WHAT: The VIT was constructed using academic research conducted with veterinary staff in the UK and Ireland to ensure the insights and advice contained within the toolkit are informed by expert and real world experiences. The research was conducted by ourselves and others, has been collated and packaged to produce an informed, relevant and useful range of materials and activities designed to support veterinary staff in managing and mitigating workplace incivility.  The toolkit includes a central pdf document outlining what incivility is, how it can impact staff, and suggested responses. There is an incivility guide (Keeping things civil: a practical guide to incivility management). There are also a range of explainer videos featuring veterinary experts discussing their incivility experiences. There are incivility cards designed to present core concepts as engaging diagrams and figures, alongside a range of worksheets and guided activities.

WHY: Incivility is a frequent and impactful behaviour arising from clients, co-workers and senior colleagues. Our research links uncivil interactions to increased anxiety, reduced job satisfaction, increased quitting intention and increased risk of burnout in veterinary staff. It is vital that uncivil behaviour is reduced, mitigated and managed in veterinary practices for the benefit and well-being of staff.

Special thanks go to our collaborators and supporters of this project, including: VetLed, Helen Silver-MacMahon, Prof Liz Mossop and Dr Luiz Santos.

Veterinary Incivility Toolkit (VIT)

‘Keeping it civil: a practical guide to managing incivility in veterinary practice’ is an evidence-based guide for veterinary staff. Developed as a large collaboration between the University of Aberdeen and industry experts from organisations such as the RCVS, Being Human, VetLed, and academics from the University of Glasgow and the University of Nottingham, the guide includes information relevant to recognising and managing uncivil behaviour from clients and co-workers. The guide was launched on 3rd June 2024 and more than 700 copies have been sent all over the world thus far – both printed and e-versions.

The guide is available for FREE as a printed copy, or an e-version, to interested veterinary practices and organisations. Just complete this form: ONLINE FORM or click on the QR code to download your pdf copy of the guide.

We are currently at our limit for printing the guide, but keep checking back for updates and the opportunity to order printed copies.

You can download a brief research synthesis here: VIT research synthesis (1) The synthesis provides an overview of key incivility research to date, along with evidence based advice for responding to incivility.

A range of veterinary professionals compiled a series of explainer videos – the aim of these videos is to explain incivility using real-world experiences and provide insights into the thoughts and experiences of veterinary professionals as a method of knowledge exchange.

You can access the videos HERE.

The Veterinary Incivility Toolkit is designed to be interactive, featuring a range of individual and group activities designed to enable you to apply the toolkit content, assess your individual incivility experience, and discuss incivility with your team, as well as providing support for developing strategies to manage incivility in your practice. Click HERE to access, and download, a variety of worksheets and activity guidance.

These cards are designed to provide a one-page diagrammatic overview of key concepts from within the toolkit. Ideal for sharing with colleagues, starting discussions about incivility, and for reading over whenever you have a spare minute! Take a look at each card HERE.

Additional information