Unbelievably Exploitative - Veterinary Technician VCA Employee Review

1.0
28 Jul 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Employee discount for services and retail is good. Some of the people I work with are wonderful - one of them has become a very close friend. Quality of medical care is excellent at my hospital.

Cons

Terrible terrible management on all levels. From the Hospital Manager, to the Medical Director, to the Regional Manager, and so on --- barely any training of new hires, then frustrated, angry doctors when things don't run smoothly. Perhaps eventually you will become their "go-to" person, but forget about being heard or respected. Despite your incredibly hard work (of completing your own daily duties, and then fixing the mistakes made by under-trained employees), you will rarely hear a "thank you" or "well done." You will work 45-50 hour weeks because your hospital is horribly understaffed, and then get reprimanded by your HM and Regional Director for accruing overtime. While my HM is pretty good at resolving client disputes, when it comes to her own staff, it will take months (if ever) to resolve anything. Raises are miniscule. Perhaps you will get a title promotion, but no monetary acknowledgement of your hard work. Ask multiple times to be reviewed (with the hope of getting a raise), finally your HM will sit you down, and only then you will learn that 3 days earlier a nation-wide salary freeze had come into effect. If you move into a management position (i.e. salaried) from a lower title (i.e. hourly), you will continue to receive your hourly wage with a pat on the back and a "this is technically in your job description, you know." In 3 words: MANIPULATIVE, DISHONEST, EXPLOITATIVE.

Explore other reviews about VCA

5.0
15 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Perfect team for learning and mentorsip

Cons

New manager made 13 of us leave for the best

4.0
12 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This company offers many opportunities for doctors and techs to grow in their careers. They provide tons of support and they've been making HUGE changes to veterinary medicine on a whole. I have never known another company to offer so many benefits and perks for staff (especially techs), and they're even making lots of effort to invest in the veterinary receptionists-the front line associates of the hospital. They're also making great strides to acknowledge some of the feedback we've had for many years. They're savvy and smart, making business decisions that build on a company that will be around a long time (and has.)

Cons

There have been times where transparency and communication are lacking, and sometimes to the point where hospital-level employees feel left out or unheard. Some bigger topics like onboarding and navigating what support comes from where could be more clear. It feels like they've been fusing on new concepts/policies/features to the company, making it feel like a clunky machine rather than building something new and streamlined. Maybe it's in the works, but how do we know down here?

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