West Jutland Veterinarians: Focus on sustainability and well-being

Combining sustainability and well-being as core values ​​in the operation of a veterinary clinic sounds like an ambitious goal. For West Jutland Veterinarians in Nørre Nebel, however, it has become an integral part of everyday life. In recent years, the clinic has carried out a number of concrete initiatives that reduce their climate footprint and at the same time strengthen the social working environment.

"For me, sustainability and well-being belong together. A company cannot be sustainable if it does not also take care of its employees,' explains Katrine Lawaetz, cattle specialist and director at Vestjyske Dyrlæger.

Climate measures with effect

West Jutland Vets have systematically mapped their climate footprint using a CO₂- calculator developed for animal clinics (https://vetsustain.org/shop/the-veterinary-carbon-calculator-denmark). The data has been the starting point for a number of improvements.

One of the most significant decisions was the replacement of the old oil boiler with an air-to-water heat pump, which now supplies heat and hot water to the clinic. Combined with a solar cell system, the clinic today covers 40 percent of their electricity consumption through green energy sources. The investments have not only reduced their CO₂-discharge, but also provided significant financial savings.

"We have experienced that our investments have had a shorter payback period than expected. The energy crisis with rising oil and electricity prices has further pushed the good business plan,” says Katrine Lawaetz.

In addition to energy solutions, the clinic has introduced waste sorting into nine fractions, replaced all light sources with LED and uses Soda Stream instead of buying sparkling water in bottles. In order to reduce waste, the clinic has also invested in a coffee machine that only brews one cup at a time, which has significantly reduced coffee waste.

Katrine Lawaetz also says that a number of the clinic's employees are active in a sustainability group, which develops and implements new ideas. One example is the collaboration with suppliers to find alternatives to packaging that mixes materials such as paper and plastic. These are wrappers that staff often use, but find it difficult to sort efficiently. 

Well-being in everyday life

For the employees at Vestjyske Dyrlæger, sustainability is not only about climate. A special effort has been made to create a good working environment. The clinic is certified for job satisfaction and has established a break culture where regular breaks are respected and the staff have the opportunity to disconnect completely.

"We have, among other things, introduced puzzles in the lunchroom, which give employees a chance to relax without distractions. It's a small thing, but it has a big impact on well-being,' says Katrine Lawaetz.

The job satisfaction certification implies that the clinic has implemented tools and strategies to continually improve job satisfaction. It allows them to handle challenges effectively and maintain a positive workplace culture. 

"The certification helps us to focus on well-being and at the same time inspire employees to take ownership of their working environment," says Katrine Lawaetz.

In addition, the clinic has established a biodiversity garden with native plants and "Wild with will" areas on their grounds. The garden functions as a free space for both employees and clients. The plan is to expand the garden with areas for meditation and reflection, which can be used by both employees and clients.

The clinic has also set up an exercise room in the former stables, where the employees can strength train or practice yoga. The exercise room is part of their efforts to ensure physical health among the employees, says Katrine Lawaetz. She adds that it is particularly important for the traveling vets who have a physically demanding job.

Recruitment and retention

The measures have also proven to be an advantage in relation to recruitment. The clinic has experienced an increase in the number of unsolicited applications from vets and they have recently hired a newly qualified vet. Katrine Lawaetz believes that the positive attention can mainly be attributed to the clinic's reputation as a workplace that prioritizes both professionalism and well-being.

To ensure a smooth transition for new employees, Vestjyske Dyrlæger has implemented a thorough onboarding program. The program includes mentoring schemes, where experienced vets support the new hires, and a continuous evaluation of work tasks and well-being.

"We believe that a strong start gives employees a good platform for success. Our onboarding helps integrate new colleagues into the culture and ensures that they feel safe and valued,' explains Katrine Lawaetz.

Employees' satisfaction is also reflected in their commitment. Several employees have been with the clinic for over ten years, and feedback is often given on how the workplace can be further improved. The high degree of employee loyalty is a result of the clinic's flexible working conditions, which take into account individual needs such as childcare or free time.

Flexible shift planning

Katrine Lawaetz also highlights the clinic's approach to shift planning. To ensure a balance between work and private life, employees have the opportunity to submit requests for shifts. This system makes room for individual needs, such as childcare, leisure interests or specific work patterns. 

"We believe that the employees themselves are the best at assessing how their shifts fit into their lives. Having an influence on the decisions creates both satisfaction and motivation,' she says.

In this way, the clinic has created a duty schedule that both meets business requirements and ensures that the employees do not feel overburdened. The model has also led to fewer sick leave and a higher degree of commitment among the employees.

A strengthened community

"We find that our employees value our efforts. It's about creating a place where people want to stay and contribute. It makes a big difference when we attract talented employees who see the potential in our culture,' explains Katrine Lawaetz.

The clinic also works in other areas to ensure a balance between work and leisure. There are regular breaks during the day, and social activities such as family outings and joint exercise are regularly organised. Such initiatives have proven to strengthen the community and create a workplace where everyone feels valued, says Katrine Lawaetz.

The clinic has no plans to rest on its laurels. Work is continuously being done on new initiatives that can improve both the climate footprint and the working environment.

"We hope that our efforts can inspire other clinics to take similar steps. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and we have only just begun,' says Katrine Lawaetz.

Vestjyske Dyrlæger

Location: Nørre Nebel

Number of employees: 17

Area of ​​work: Cattle practice, small animal clinic and on-call arrangement

Read more at vestjyske-dyrlaeger.dk