Vets upset by team-building exercise

Government vets battling against bovine tuberculosis are being taken off front-line duties to take part in a series of team-building exercises that include learning how to play musical instruments.

While farmers fight for their livelihoods, the entire Animal Health workforce of about 1700 staff will have to undergo the training, which includes learning how to play the drums and playing games.

But, for some, the motivational initiative appears to have fallen flat.

One vet spoke of her anger and frustration after 130 staff from the Midlands Animal Health division attended a training day in Warwickshire on Tuesday (10 March).

The vet had expected the training to be focused on the latest strategy for tackling bovine tuberculosis.

“Instead we wasted an entire day playing games, mucking about and banging drums,” she said.

“I am appalled that taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill for this when we are supposed to be fighting disease,” said the vet, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.

“I have been reduced to tears today. It shows the people who thought this up don’t realise the dreadful suffering that is going on in farming.

“Farmers are under stress, cattle are being slaughtered, sick badgers are suffering enormously and the disease is spreading to domestic animals. And what are we doing – banging drums,” the vet said. “The management does not realise that every day is vital when you’re tackling a disease. I cannot comprehend why we were taken away from our jobs for this.

“If it was meant to be motivational the management got it wrong. It left us appalled and angry. The language used by my colleagues to describe their feelings was unrepeatable,” she added.

A spokeswoman for Animal Health rejected the vet’s claims.

“As well as strategy, aspects of the day focus on effective teamwork and how it can help Animal Health deliver better outcomes in the future.

“This was done in a fun and interesting way which involved staff doing activities together. Animal Health has had excellent feedback from staff about the conferences so far.”