When work hurts: What to do about rudeness on the job

Are you tired of rudeness? If so, you’re not alone.

Research from around the United States and beyond shows that rudeness has been on the rise across many professions. This is especially true for people whose job is to help others – including first responders, healthcare professionals, restaurant workers, flight attendants, store clerks, attorneys, and others.

Rudeness at work can have harmful effects on our emotional and physical health – as well as our organizations. Right now, when many veterinary practices are stretched to capacity or beyond and team members are feeling overworked and stressed, it makes a difficult situation even harder. 

Live webinar: Effective strategies to deal with rudeness

The good news is that there are effective steps we can take to address angry behavior on the job. AVMA Axon has scheduled a special live broadcast on the topic at noon Central Time on December 16. “When Work Hurts” will explore evidence-based strategies for preventing and diffusing rudeness in the veterinary workplace. 

Join AVMA’s director of wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, Jen Brandt, Ph.D., for a dynamic conversation exploring myths about and solutions to address rudeness on the job. Among the topics to be explored: 

• Why workplace rudeness is on the rise
• Why solutions aimed at trying to control other people’s behaviors generally aren’t effective
• Effective ways to address poor behavior
• How to apply knowledge of redirected aggression in animals to prevent and de-escalate displaced anger in clients and colleagues 

Don’t miss this special live AVMA Axon broadcast.  Registration is free for all veterinary professionals, and the webinar offers 1 hour of CE credit.

Register

Cyberbullies and social media rudeness

One place where rudeness often comes out is social media. AVMA’s social media and online reputation resources help veterinary clinics manage social media effectively, prevent and respond to critics and cyberbullies, and build and protect a positive reputation online. They include response templates, best practices, video tips, and a 24/7 reputation helpline staffed by crisis management professionals.

• Online reputation management and cyberbullying
• Social media for veterinary clinics